The Nigerian troops of Operation Hadin Kai bombarded a mass gathering of Boko Haram members in Dawuri village at the weekend.
The attack, which followed intelligence gathering, happened within the Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, with no fewer than 40 insurgents planning to execute a coordinated storm in Maiduguri and its environs killed.
The army reportedly deployed a massive artillery gun against identified Boko Haram camps and hit the target.
A military source said the pre-emptive operation was ordered after getting a report on the movement of the fighters and their communication was also intercepted by the troops.