At least six bodies of some missing Nigerian military personnel have been recovered in Alawa areas of Shiroro local government of Niger State.

DAILY POST learnt that this occurred last Friday during a gun battle that ensued between the soldiers, vigilantes and armed men suspected to be members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect.

The gunmen in their hundreds had allegedly invaded and surrounded Bassa community for three days, during which they set ablaze two houses at Masigo community.

Upon receipt of a distress call from the communities, it was learnt that the Military Joint Task Force of Alawa, Erena and Pandogari, including some members of vigilante groups in Shiroro, came together and engaged the bandits in a fierce battle at Lolo in Alawa area.

The fight, it was further gathered, resulted in casualties from both sides.

Sources from the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the deceased included a captain, a major and four others.

The sources also disclosed that the security officers lost their way while countering members of the sect in the forest on Friday night

They also disclosed that at the moment, the whole area has been condoned by the military.

DAILY POST further learnt that their bodies were recovered in the bush, with bullet shots on their heads.

Confirming the development, the Niger State Commissioner for Homeland Security, General Garba Abdullahi Mohammed explained that efforts were ongoing to track the Boko Haram insurgents.

He, however, declined to declare the number of casualties in the encounter involving the military personnel, the vigilante and the insurgents.

As of the time of filing this report, military authorities are yet to confirm the reported killing of the officers and soldiers.