Nigerian troops have freed more than 829 people held by Boko Haram fighters in several villages in the country’s restive north-east, Sky News quoted the army as saying on Friday.

"The gallant troops cleared the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists hibernating in Kala Balge general area," army spokesman Sani Usman said in a statement.

He added that 22 terrorists were killed.

All the hostages were rescued in Borno state, with 520 recovered in Kusumma village on Tuesday after a confrontation with Boko Haram fighters and a further 309 from 11 other villages under the extremist group’s control.

Three terrorists were killed and one was captured alive during the second raid on the 11 villages, Usman said.

Source: MENA