#insurgency

#insurgency

Local authorities in Nigeria's northwestern state of Katsina have confirmed that a military operation had rescued some 76 hostages, many of them children, who were being held by "bandits." The group were freed after a series of precision airstrikes on group's camp. Nasir Mu'azu, state commissioner for internal security, said airstrikes are now "part of a broader strategy to dismantle criminal hideouts, weaken their networks and put an end to the cycle of killings, kidnappings, and extortion that have plagued innocent citizens."

Three gunmen were killed in clashes with security forces who responded to the attack, according to Iran's state news agency.

The suicide bomber was wearing a suicide vest and was intercepted before reaching his target. He blew himself up, causing minimal casualties. Adan Hassan, one of the recruits and a witness, told AP by phone.

"Scores of people reportedly lost their lives and properties in the attacks in the villages of Munga and Magani, in Karim Lamido district, early on Saturday."

The relative tranquility in Maiduguri comes as a surprise, given the intense history of Boko Haram's insurgency that peaked with regular bombings and mass abductions.