The troops, based in Super Camp Monguno, engaged the terrorists on Friday while on a patrol along Monguno-Mairari-Gajiram areas.
The army said on Sunday the terrorists were met with a “heavy volume of fire that neutralised many while a few escaped with gunshot injuries.”
Eight soldiers were confirmed injured in the encounter and have been evacuated to a medical military facility for attention.
The acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col Sagir Musa, noted that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai, and some principal officers from the Army headquarters had visited the recuperating troops.
He said, “The troops’ patrol team came in contact with the terrorists and recovered some weapons and equipment. Sadly, during the encounter, three of our gallant soldiers paid the supreme price while eight others sustained injuries. The bodies of the fallen heroes and those that sustained injuries have since been evacuated.
“The wounded are being treated and are in stable condition. The highly motivated troops have continued combing the general area with a view to clear remnants of the hiding terrorists. The Chief of Army Staff and principal staff officers from the Army headquarters have visited the troops and those injured in action.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has killed scores of the terrorists in air strikes conducted at Yuwe in Borno State.
The NAF said the raid was executed in continuation of Operation Green Sweep 3 after intelligence report established that the settlement was being used as a hideout by the terrorists.
The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said in a statement that the military would sustain its operations against the terrorists in the North-East.