At least 27 Boko Haram militants have been killed in a fierce exchange of fire with Nigerian army forces in the country’s north-eastern state of Borno.

Soldiers clashed with the insurgents in the Balmo, Lame and Hildi forests in Adamawa and Bauchi States, South Africa’s Independent Online reported, citing a Nigerian Defence Ministry statement, without specifying when the fighting took place.

“Motorcycles, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and bows and arrows were recovered from the fleeing terrorists,” according to the defence ministry.

Providing more details, PRNigeria, a media advisory firm for the security agencies in the country, added that during a hot pursuit of the terrorists around Hildi, Adamawa State, at least seven of the terrorists lost their lives while a total of five rifles, hundreds of rounds of ammunition as well as bows and arrows were recovered from them.

“During another special raid operation conducted on Balmo and Lame forests linking Borno, Bauchi and Adamawa States, the determined troops recovered rifles and a number of motorcycles after a stiff resistance by terrorists was crushed. Over 20 of them lost their lives while some were reported wounded.”

The Defence Spokesman, General Chris Olukolade, who confirmed the incidents to PRNigeria, said six soldiers were wounded in the encounter. At the end of the encounter, troops eventually took firm control of the forest location.