Several other bandits were said to have fled the onslaught with gunshot injuries.
Mr Mohammed’s statement comes days after BBC Africa Eye published a documentary featuring interviews with bandit leaders.
The incident lasted up to three hours and 15 minutes before the army personnel were dislodged from their location.
“There will be collateral damage, but it’s better to wipe them out and get people back to our communities,” says Mr El-Rufai
The Nigerian Army says it has so far lived up to Nigerians’ expectations in its fight against bandits, Boko Haram, and ISWAP terrorists.
