LAGOS, Nigeria

At least 20 Boko Haram militants were killed in an army raid on their hideouts in Lake Chad region on early Monday, according to a statement by the regional troops.

"In continuation of the ongoing offensive operations to oust [Daesh] from the Lake Chad Area, troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in conjunction with national forces, in an early morning raid today neutralized over 20 terrorists operating around Arege, Malkonory and Tumbum Rego general area," spokesman Timothy Antigha said.

"Similarly, several gun trucks, arms and ammunition, as well as a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device, which was meant to disrupt troops advance was also destroyed," Antigha added.

He said four personnel of the regional troops were injured in the firefight with the militants.

Boko Haram remains a security threat in much of the Lake Chad region, although its capabilities to hold territories appear to have been degraded.