MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Nigerian army conducted a series of raids in Islamist-infested eastern Borno state on Sunday, freeing some 5,000 hostages held by Boko Haram, an army spokesman said.
The so-called clearance operations were conducted in a dozen of villages occupied by the notorious Islamist group. At least 10 militants were killed.
"The troops also liberated over 5,000 persons held hostages by Boko Haram terrorists," a statement by Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman read.
The army lost one soldier and two others were injured, in addition to a "vigilante" who sustained an eye wound but is now recovering, the spokesman continued.
Boko Haram has been active in northeastern Nigeria since 2009. Last year, the group expanded attacks into Niger, Cameroon and Chad. In March 2015, it pledged allegiance to Islamic State (ISIL or Daesh), outlawed in Russia and many other countries.
