Nigerian army frees 31 Boko Haram hostages

LAGOS, Nigeria

At least 31 hostages were freed on Monday from Boko Haram strongholds in the Sambisa forest in the northeastern Borno state, according to the Nigerian army.

Three militants were also killed and four camps destroyed as soldiers charged through the area, said the Nigerian army.

"The troops cleared all the four camps located within the [Aulari] 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," army spokesman Sani Usman said in a statement late Monday.

Usman said two other militants were killed in the Leje axis of the Sambisa forest while also blocking all known routes to prevent Boko Haram militants from transporting livestock across borders.

"All these [actions are done] to stop Boko Haram from fueling their terror machines through cattle rustling and illegal trading," he added.

Usman said 15 other villages were also liberated from the militants.

The Boko Haram insurgency has become a major security challenge for the top African energy producer, claiming tens of thousands in attacks and bombings across the northeast and other parts in the north.

President Muhammadu Buhari has given the army a December deadline to crush the militancy.