TheCable

Three Boko Haram insurgents have been reportedly killed in Tukunshe village, about 20 kilometres north of Maiduguri, the Borno capital, during a shootout with officers of the Nigerian army on Tuesday.

According to a military source who spoke with TheCable, the incident occurred when the army repelled an attack launched by the insurgents on the village.

The insurgents were said to have arrived the village in military uniform, with two Hilux vans mounted with anti-aircraft guns.

The source said the attack was repelled by troops of the 212 battalion, who engaged the insurgents in a “heavy gunfight” that lasted about 30 minutes.

Aside from the three insurgents killed during the attack, two soldiers were said to have sustained injuries.

Some insurgents were also said to have fled, leaving behind traces of blood along their escape route.

The source added that the troops had launched a manhunt to apprehend the insurgents who escaped.

The army reportedly recovered one gun truck mounted with an anti-aircraft gun, AK 47 rifle, radio equipment, and various types of other ammunition from the insurgents.