Nigerian gov't forces rescue 1,880 hostages from Boko Haram's den

Nigerian government forces in the northeastern state of Borno have rescued additional 1,880 hostages from the den of terror group Boko Haram, the army authorities said.

The hostages, all women and children, were freed in recent military operations inside the Sambisa Forest, known as the largest training camp of Boko Haram in the country's northeast region.

In a statement reaching Xinhua on Thursday, Lucky Irabor, the combatant commander in Borno State, said the troops also arrested about 504 Boko Haram terrorists, among whom 19 of them willingly surrendered.

Irabor said troops had made a remarkable progress in the fight against Boko Haram, having intensified efforts to mop up all the areas in Sambisa Forest.

On Nov. 23, a total of 800 hostages in Boko Haram's custody were also freed in the ongoing anti-terrorism operations by the Nigerian troops.

Meanwhile, the army authorities have commenced construction of road network leading to the Sambisa Forest to ease troops' operations in mopping up Boko Haram fighters in their den.

Construction of the roads, according to Irabor, will assist fighting troops in their effort to rout the Boko Haram terrorists from their hideouts.

Nigeria's northeast region has been a stronghold of the extremist group Boko Haram. Endit