The Nigerian army says its troops have killed two suspected Boko Haram fighters in Borno state, in the northeast.

The troops who were responding to a distress call intercepted the suspected militants who were riding on 14 horses in Malamti village in the Guzamala local government area.

In the ensuing gun battle, two of the suspected Boko Haram fighters were killed while two soldiers were wounded. The other militants escaped.

The army said it recovered two AK 47 riffles and several rounds of ammunition including one hand grenade.

Although the number of attacks have reduced, the Islamist militants are still active in the northeast where over 20,000 people have been killed and millions displaced in the seven year bloody insurgency.