he Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), formerly known as Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād, has claimed that its fighters killed 10 Nigerian soldiers after dislodging a military base in Rann, the administrative headquarters of Kala-Balge Local Government Area of Borno State.

The insurgents overran the ancient community on Sunday night, killing many people.

“They came with heavy machine guns and trucks and dislodged the Nigerian troops of Operation Hadin Kai stationed in the community.

“The stormed the town around 10pm last night (Sunday) and was in charge till 6am this morning; many people including military operatives were killed by the terrorists, we can’t ascertain the number of casualties now,” a source had said.

However, in a terse statement obtained by Daily Nigerian, the terrorist group said it killed 10 Nigerian soldiers, wounded many and seized three armored tanks.

“With Allah’s grace, we have killed 10 Nigerian soldiers, wounded many, while the rest ran away in Rann, Borno State. The spoils of war we got three devices, many arms and ammunition.

“We also burnt down their barracks, two tanks, and then safely returned to our base,” the newspaper quoted ISWAP as saying in the statement.