Six soldiers have been reported killed in a Boko Haram ambush attack in Borno State on Sunday.
The incident was said to have occurred in Banki town, 130 kilometres southeast of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.
The deceased, who were members of the 151 Task Force battalion, include two sergeants, two lance corporals, and two privates.
“We lost six soldiers to Boko Haram terrorists this morning. The guys came unexpectedly with sophisticated weapons,” Premium Times quoted an unnamed army officer as saying.
The newspaper, however, did not release the names of the deceased soldiers, stating that it wanted to give army authorities time to inform their family members.
Army authorities have yet to confirm the killings.
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Army spokesman, Sagir Musa said he was in London for a course and could not confirm the story.
Boko Haram has continued to launch pocket of attacks despite military authorities confining them to Yobe, Adamawa and Borno states.
Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, Col. Aminu Iliyasu said in a Sunday statement that the terrorists have continued to suffer defeat.
He said troops inflicted defeat on insurgents in Damboa and Garkida towns of Borno and Adamawa States, respectively.
“Gallant troops of Strong Response Area Gubio had successfully repelled a Boko Haram attack.
“During the encounter, the troops dealt a decisive blow on the marauding criminals, neutralised two of them and captured one AK47 Rifle.
“Subsequent incursions by the troops along the withdrawal route of the insurgents in the early hours of March 12 led to the discovery of additional five shattered bodies of the terrorists from the encounter.
“One burnt Boko Haram terrorists Gun Truck, one PKT Machine Gun, two AK 47 rifles, three AK 47 rifle magazines and 67 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition were also recovered,” he said.