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. from Punch