The Nigerian Army said on Monday it had rescued another 400 hostages from Boko Haram hideouts in the country’s North-East as troops intensified clearance operations across areas reportedly still inhabited by militants.

Army Spokesman, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, said in a statement that the troops also smoked out and captured terrorists who took refuge in fox holes.

Col. Usman said: “Troops of 22 Brigade Garrison in Operation LAFIYA DOLE, cleared four villages of Boko Haram terrorists hiding in the area. The terrorists hibernating in Cinga, Mallum Maja, Bosuma and Murye villages, were armed with dangerous weapons and have been terrorising the communities.

“During the operations 3 Boko Haram terrorists were killed, while 9 of them who tried hiding in foxholes and dug outs were identified and captured alive.

“Items recovered from them include 9 Dane guns, 3 machetes, 1 bow with arrows, 6 motor cycles used by the Boko Haram terrorists to ferry slaughtered cow meats to Boko Haram terrorists hideouts were recovered and burnt.

“Other items recovered include 1 tricycle, 4 x Tiger Generators and 1 solar panel. The troops also recovered 300 herds of cattle rustled by the Boko Haram terrorists from Fulani herdsmen and handed over to their rightful owners.

“Similarly, 400 persons held hostage by the terrorists were rescued and set free. It is gratifying to state that we have not sustained any casualty to own troops and equipment and troops’ morale remain very high.”

•Nigerian Photo shows a soldier smoking out a Boko Haram terrorist from a fox hole . . . on Sunday in Borno State.