Nigerian troops repel Boko Haram attack

Nigeria's defence headquarters said on Saturday that a combination of air and ground operation repelled an attack on a northeastern town of Bama by Boko Haram militants.

Chris Olukolade, spokesperson for the defence headquarters, said over a score of the terrorists died while others fled with wounds, Xinhua reported citing a statement.

Last week, Nigerian troops regained full control of northeast Bama town in Borno state after clearing terrorists from the town.

He said many more of the assailants died as the air force patrol went after the fleeing ones, adding that pursuit was ongoing while calm had been restored in Bama.

The military spokesperson added that a Hilux vehicle as well as other equipment and some weapons were captured from the attackers.

"One soldier died while seven were wounded while repelling the attack. They have been evacuated from the combat area by air and are already receiving medical attention," he said.

In the past few weeks, Boko Haram camps in the northern parts of the states close to the borders with neighbouring countries have been under intense pressure from Nigerian troops in cooperation with troops from the Multinational Joint Task Force.