By Adam Abu Bashal

ABUJA, Nigeria

At least 16 hostages have been rescued from Boko Haram militant group in northeastern Nigeria, the country’s military said on Wednesday.

In a statement, the Nigerian military said six women and 10 children were rescued in Ngoshe village of Borno state.

Two Boko Haram militants were killed and many others injured during the operation to rescue the kidnapped citizens.

Nigeria has been battling Boko Haram insurgency since 2009 when the group turned violent following the death of its former leader Mohamed Yusuf in police custody.

No fewer than 20,000 people have been killed, mostly civilians, while between 2-3 million have been displaced from their homes across the Lake Chad region.