Nigerian soldiers have successfully repelled a coordinated attack by insurgents in Borno state, killing 80 jihadists who planned to attack a military position.
The military said it had repelled the attack in Mallam Fatori, near the Niger border, where fighters from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province group had ramped up attacks on military and civilian targets.
Army spokesman Sani Uba said the terrorists, who advanced in large numbers on foot and deployed armed drones, were engaged by the military, resulting in the deaths of 80 terrorists, including three high-profile commanders.
The Nigerian air force was complemented by rapid strike passes from allied Nigerien air assets, Uba added.
Four soldiers were wounded during the operation, and the military shared images of dozens of bodies lined up on the ground with its statement.
The attack came as the country's defence chiefs visited Maiduguri following Monday's triple suicide bombing in the city which killed 23 people.
Jihadist violence has slowed from its peak in around 2015 but Boko Haram and ISW have recently stepped up attacks in northeastern Nigeria in their campaign to establish a caliphate.
