Five Nigerian soldiers were killed during a fierce battle that ensued after the Boko Haram terrorists attacked the military base in Magumeri in Borno State on Friday.
A statement on Monday by the spokesman of the military group, Operation Lafiya Dole, Colonel Ezindu Idima, said that the insurgents came in numbers to infiltrate Magumeri in order to loot food items and other valuables.
He explained that during the encounter, the troops with superior firepower decimated scores of the insurgents and many escaped with gunshot wounds.
Idima added that the pursuit and clearance operation had been sustained to deal with the remaining fleeing gunmen.
According to him, there were five casualties on the side of the Nigerian army.
“During the encounter, the terrorists suffered heavy losses/casualty. Unfortunately, five soldiers paid the supreme price. Troops have continued to intensify vigilance and a high level of alertness to deny the bandits freedom of action,” he said.
GIK/APA