Abuja, Nigeria:  Nigerian troops have killed 76 Islamist militants in the country's northeast during extensive operations in various parts of Borno state. Nigerian army spokesman Edward Buba said on Thursday that the operation was carried out between January 7 and 13. During this period, the army also arrested 72 suspects and freed eight hostages kidnapped by the terrorists. Although Buba did not give details about the extremists' affiliation, the operation was carried out in areas held by the Boko Haram group which is loyal to the Islamic State group. The army spokesman also did not say whether any Nigerian military members were killed during the operation. The Nigerian military's announcement comes days after suspected Boko Haram militants killed at least 40 farmers in another part of Borno state.

Who are Boko Haram?

It is an extremist group. They are seen as Nigeria's homegrown jihadists. Boko Haram took up arms in 2009 to impose its radical version of Islamic law and fight against Western education. It has become Africa's longest conflict, with the insurgency spreading to Nigeria's northern neighbors. According to the United Nations, about 35,000 civilians have been killed and more than 2 million displaced in the northeast region. The abduction of 276 schoolgirls by Boko Haram in the village of Chibok in Borno state, the epicenter of the conflict, in 2014 captured world attention. 

Kidnapping is common in Nigeria

You will be surprised to know that kidnapping has become a common occurrence in the north-east of Nigeria, where dozens of armed groups take advantage of the region's limited security presence to attack villages and major roads. Many victims are released only after the payment of ransom. Sometimes this ransom amount is in thousands of dollars.