At least 31 civilian hostages have been set free from the dens of Boko Haram insurgents during series of raids by Nigerian troops in the northeast Borno State, the Nigerian army said on Tuesday.
In a statement signed by the spokesperson of the Nigerian army, Col. Sani Usman, the hostages were freed on Monday, as troops raided four camps near Bama, the second largest town in central part of Borno province, previously occupied by Boko Haram, Xinhua reported.
"The troops cleared all the four camps located within the area that includes Faldan, Kidiziromari, Kuroshini, Kurumari and Ngulda. One Boko Haram terrorist was killed while trying to escape and about 31 people were rescued from the terrorists," the statement said, adding a stockpile of farm produce in metal drums, sacks and underground storage facilities were also discovered by the troops during the raids.
Insurgents set fire on some farmlands while fleeing military assault. As they fled, the troops recovered bicycles and motorcycles which served as means of transportation for the insurgents to attack communities.
The Nigerian military said they are working to meet this month' s deadline given by Nigerian leader, Muhammadu Buhari, to end the insurgency in the African most populous nation.
Boko Haram has since 2009 waged a campaign of violence in Nigeria in an effort to establish an Islamic state. It has killed some 13,000 people and kidnapped hundreds, with surrounding countries such as Niger, Chad and Cameroon affected.