Again, Boko Haram insurgents have attacked a military unit at Blabili, Danboa, Borno State, in the early hours of Friday.
The latest attack came on the heels of the recent abduction of more than 100 female students in Chibok locality of the state.
Not less than 40 insurgents and four soldiers were killed in the gunfight.
Investigations revealed that the Special Forces recovered several arms and ammunition from the insurgents in the battle.
The Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, confirmed that there was an encounter between troops and some insurgents in the area.
Although he did not give details of the attack, he faulted the figure.
“The figures are not accurate Yes, there was an encounter between our soldiers and the insurgents,” he said.
Investigations revealed that the insurgents attacked a unit of soldiers stationed at the Blabili, near Damboa by 12am but were repelled by soldiers.
A source said that the insurgents approached the military camp on foot as they left behind their operational vehicles in order to avoid attracting attention.
It was gathered that while the insurgents were moving furtively close to the military camp, a soldier on sentry duty spotted them with binoculars and alerted other soldiers to the impending attack.
According to the source, the fight raged between 12am and 6am when the insurgents withdrew to their location in the direction of Sambisa Forest.
“There was a gun battle at a town called Blabili, near Damboa, between 12am and 6am.
“The Boko Haram members came to attack a Nigerian Army location in the town but the soldiers killed 36 of them and recovered several arms and ammunition from them.
“Four soldiers were also killed in the attack,” the source said.
