At least 27 Takfiri Boko Haram militants have been killed in a fierce exchange of fire with Nigerian army forces in the country’s northeastern state of Borno.

Nigeria’s Defense Ministry confirmed the news on Tuesday, saying that the deaths came during clashes between the country’s soldiers and the terrorists in the Balmo, Lame and Hildi forests in Borno State.

However, it did not mention when the fighting took place.

According to the ministry, “Motorcycles, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and bows and arrows were recovered from the fleeing terrorists.”

The ministry also said that the army recently retook the towns of Mubi in Adamawa and Ashaka in Gombe from the militants.

In recent months, Boko Haram has been establishing its grip on northeastern Nigeria, capturing the towns of Gwoza, Damask, Bama, Gamboru-Ngala, Dikwa, Mafa as well as some surrounding villages, all in Borno State.

Boko Haram, whose name means “Western education is forbidden,” has claimed responsibility for a number of deadly shooting and bombing attacks in various parts of Nigeria, which have left more than 10,000 people dead so far.

On April 14, the Takfiri group kidnapped 276 students from their secondary school in the northeastern town of Chibok in Borno, triggering worldwide outrage. Reports say 57 of the girls managed to escape, but 219 are still missing.