The Nigerian army says it has rescued 338 people held captive by militant Islamist group Boko Haram in different villages in north-eastern Borno state.
“The rescued persons which comprised of eight males, 138 females and 192 children, have since been evacuated to Mubi in neighbouring Adamawa state,” army spokesman Col Sani Usman said in statement.
The army also said it had killed 30 fighters and destroyed their camps in four villages close to the Sambisa forest – a major hideout of the militants. Arms and ammunition were recovered during the operation, the statement said. Col Usman added that soldiers also ambushed and killed four suspected militants on a suicide bombing mission to Gubula village in Adamawa state following a tip-off.
Attacks by Boko Hatam have intensified since Muhammadu Buhari became president in May, after winning elections.
