At least 17 die in battle triggered by Nigerian militants

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, April 30 (UPI) -- Authorities in Nigeria's Borno state said at least 17 people were killed in a gun battle between security forces and Islamic militants belonging to Boko Haram.

The attack in the commercial town of Bama last week left some 200 homes and shops torched, Leadership Newspapers reported Tuesday.

At least 10 of the dead were Boko Haram gunmen and seven others were security operatives, military officials said.

Lt. Col. A.G. Laka said the trouble started when armed Boko Haram gunmen attacked the vehicle of a divisional police officer, killing two of his orderlies. The officer managed to escape the attack but a gun battle between the militants and security forces ensued.

Special bullets fired at the militants triggered the fires, police said.