Suspected Islamic State of West Africa elements have reportedly abducted scores of persons in Kukawa, Borno State.

The incident happened on Tuesday night as troops killed eight ISWAP insurgents during an encounter in the area.

Three out of five soldiers who sustained varying degrees of injuries later died.

The Defence headquarters confirmed the killing of the ISWAP members but was silent on the abduction of the residents.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, in a statement this morning said the attack on Kukawa town “was vehemently thwarted.”

In the statement titled, ‘Boko Haram/ISWAP futile attempt to scuttle the resettlement of Kukawa community in Borno State,’ the DHQ said the insurgents were trying to scuttle the resettlement of displaced persons who returned to the community.

It stated, “During the incident, eight BHTs were neutralised and unconfirmed number escaped with gunshots wounds.

“Unfortunately, three soldiers were fatally wounded and later gave up at the military medical reception station at Kukawa military location.

“Two others also sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the military medical station.”

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, had on July 29 flagged off the re-opening of Munguno-Cross Kauwa-Kukawa road which was followed almost immediately with the resettlement of some of the displaced people in Kukawa.

The military said the attack by the terrorists was a deliberate attempt to “reverse the milestone achievements” recorded regarding IDPs in the areas of peace-building, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and resettlement efforts by the government.

It, however, noted that the situation in Kukawa is now calm with troops in full control.