Nigerian troops have eliminated 76 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants in the northeastern Borno state in recent weeks, a spokesperson said on Thursday.
The militants were thought to be affiliated with the armed group Boko Haram and its offshoot ISWAP, which have been conducting a lethal insurgency in northeast Nigeria since 2009, displacing millions and resulting in thousands of deaths, particularly in Borno, the epicentre of the conflict.
Since the beginning of the year, militants have intensified their attacks in Borno, including a recent assault on the Dumba community on Sunday that resulted in the deaths of at least 40 farmers.
Major-General Edward Buba, a military spokesperson, reported that troops eliminated 24 fighters during offensive operations in the Damboa, Bama, and Chibok regions of Borno from January 7 to 13.
He did not disclose information regarding troop casualties during the operations.
During the operations, troops apprehended 72 suspects and successfully rescued eight hostages, he stated in a report.
Buba stated that during the operations, weapons and ammunition were recovered, which included AK-47 rifles, grenades, rocket-propelled grenades, and improvised explosive devices.
