YEREVAN, AUGUST 3, ARMENPRESS. The Nigerian army has freed 178 people being held hostage by Boko Haram jihadists including more than 100 children, it said late Sunday, as it carries out a regional offensive aimed at rooting out the insurgency, Armenpress reports, citing Reuters.

"During the offensive operations, 178 people held captives by the terrorists were rescued, they include 101 children, 67 women and 10 men respectively," army spokesman Colonel Tukur Gusau said in a statement. 

"In addition, one Boko Haram terrorist’s commander was captured alive and is presently undergoing investigation," he said.