Nigerian troops say they have killed 76 extremists during a week-long operation in Borno state

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerian troops have killed 76 Muslim militants in the northeast of the country during operations in various parts of Borno state, the military said Thursday.

The attack took place between January 7 and January 13, said Nigerian military spokesman Edward Buba at a press conference in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. He added that the soldiers also arrested 72 suspects and rescued eight hostages who had been abducted by the soldiers.

Buba did not give details about dealing with these activists but for a long time the workplace has been plagued by attacks by Boko Haram and a rebel group loyal to the Islamic State group.

The military spokesman also did not clarify whether any members of the Nigerian army were killed during the operation.

The announcement by the Nigerian military comes days after suspected Boko Haram terrorists killed at least 40 farmers in another part of Borno state.

Boko Haram, jihadis originating in Nigeria, took up arms in 2009 to fight Western education and enforce their Islamic law. This conflict, which has been going on for a long time in Africa fighting against militants, has also spread to Nigeria’s neighbors to the north.

About 35,000 civilians were killed and more than 2 million displaced in the northeastern region, according to the UN.

The abduction of 276 schoolgirls in 2014 by Boko Haram in the Chibok village of Borno state – the source of the conflict – attracted international attention.

The Nigerian army also killed 64 extremists, arrested 69 suspects and rescued 62 people during the operation in the north-west of the country, Buba said on Thursday.

Kidnappings have become commonplace in northeastern Nigeria, where dozens of armed groups exploit the region’s limited security to attack towns and highways. Many victims are only released after ransoms are paid, sometimes amounting to thousands of dollars.

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