No less than 15 Boko Haram fighters were reportedly killed when they engaged troops of the Nigerian Army in a fierce gun battle in Borno State on Friday.

Military sources told newsmen that the attack began very early on Friday and lasted more than three hours.

The terrorists were reported to have launched the surprise comeback attack on troops’ location in Rann, northern Borno, where soldiers from 3 Battalion and 112 Task Force Battalion are stationed.

According to the military sources quoted by online newspaper, PREMIUM TIMES, the soldiers responded promptly, killing many of the terrorists while several others escaped with bullet wounds.

One of the sources said that more than 15 of the Boko Haram fighters were killed in action; another said the figure was much higher.

However, four Nigerian soldiers were reportedly wounded in action.

Military authorities had since contacted the nearby 22 Brigade to send air ambulance to evacuate one of the soldiers who was critically injured.

According to sources, many arms and ammunition were recovered from the terrorists including: two AK47 rifles, four FN rifles, one M21 rifle, 110 X 7.62MM NATO ammunition, 20 X 7.62MM special,, 40 X M21 rounds, 4 X FN extra magazine and two locally made explosives.

The battle is coming a day after a new Boko Haram video was released on the internet where the leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau mocked President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian military.

Shekau said the claims that Sambisa forest has been captured and the insurgents decimated were false as they were safe and would continue to fight.

The Nigerian army however urged Nigerians to disregard the new video, as it was mere propaganda by an already defeated Boko Haram.