Three Nigerian soldiers were killed during an encounter with Boko Haram terrorists pushing to capture Maiduguri town, Borno State, Peoples Gazette has learnt.

Twenty insurgents were also killed in the process as they attempted to infiltrate 777 housing estate, outskirts of Maiduguri metropolis at about 10: 15 p.m. on Saturday.

The Gazette also learnt that Air Force fighter helicopters were immediately deployed to support ground troops to ward off the insurgents from taking over the area.

While soldiers engaged the insurgents, residents of Pompomari, 778 and 1000 housing estates were put on alert.

The incident came hours after Nigerian soldiers at Banki Junction, Kumshe area of the state repelled a Boko Haram ambush.

Similarly, three soldiers and 20 terrorists were killed in the incident that occurred at about 07:45 p.m. on Friday.

Assorted weapons and mats belonging to the insurgents were seized in the process.

Borno has remained the worst affected by Boko Haram attacks in the northeastern region of Nigeria.

Days ago, the Defence Headquarters announced that 13,243 terrorists and their families have so far surrendered to troops in the North-East.

While giving an update on the military operations across the country, the spokesman for the defence headquarters, Brigadier-General Bernard Onyeuko explained that many of them were also arrested alongside their informants and logistics suppliers, while more terrorists had continued to lay down their arms and surrender to the troops with their families.

“Some of these feats were recorded at Gwoza – Yamtake – Bita road, Gwoza – Farm Centre – Yamtake road, Mandara Mountain area as well as Pulka and Hambagda towns, all in Borno,” he had said.

The terrorists who have also spread to other regions have succeeded in setting up camps in villages in Kuje, Abuja, and took over about 500 communities in Niger State.

This outlet had previously reported how Boko Haram took over parts of Niger and imposed VAT and income tax on residents of communities in Shiroro.