Boko Haram killed by army - Nigerian army say operation in village resulted in death of 50

Suspected Boko Haram fighters killed by army

 Nigerian army say operation in village resulted in death of 50 fighters who were planning an imminent attack.

At least 50 suspected Boko Haram fighters have been killed in a military raid in Borno state, the Nigerian army has said.

The army said on Sunday that security forces raided a hideout of suspected Boko Haram members in the Kawuri village, about 37km from the state capital Maiduguri, on Saturday.

The suspected fighters were planning an imminent attack, the military said.

Heavy artillery, including anti-aircraft, and an armoured vehicle were seized in the raid. Three soldiers were injured in the operation.

Al Jazeera's Rawya Rageh, reporting from Abuja, said the raid comes at a time when the Nigerian military desperately needs positive news in its war against Boko Haram.

"The Nigerian army appears to be eager to give the public - and the international community - any positive news when it comes to its ongoing confrontation with Boko Haram.

"It would appear that this raid on Kawuri is part of an intensified push over the past two days to yield results and give the public and the international community something in the face of mounting criticism and concerns," our correspondent said.