Nigerian troops killed more than 25 suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters while repelling an attack in northeastern Borno State, the military said Wednesday.
Operation Hadin Kai spokesman Mohammed Goni said the militants attacked the 101 Special Forces Battalion from four directions in Kukawa on Tuesday but encountered strong resistance.
Ground troops, supported by the air component, used coordinated tactical manoeuvres and superior firepower to force the attackers to retreat, he said.
Goni said 14 bodies were recovered immediately after the fighting, while a preliminary assessment put the death toll at more than 25. Further operations were underway to recover weapons, pursue fleeing militants and prevent them from regrouping.
The military pledged to sustain operations to weaken terrorist groups’ capacity to recruit, spread propaganda and coordinate attacks.