Nigerian troops have rescued 62 hostages and killed two militants in separate operations in Kebbi and Zamfara states as part of an ongoing offensive against armed groups in the northwest, the army said on Wednesday.
The northwest has been hit by a surge in mass kidnappings carried out by armed gangs operating from forest hideouts. The groups have attacked villages, schools and places of worship, including the January 18 abduction of more than 160 worshippers from two churches in Kaduna.
Army spokesperson Lt-Col Olaniyi Osoba said troops stormed a known bandit hideout in Zamfara after receiving reports that captives were being held there.
