Boko Haram: Nigerian army rescues 338 captives Published duration 28 October 2015

image copyright AFP image caption The group - made up of mainly women and children - was being held in the Sambisa forest

Nigerian troops have rescued 338 people from Boko Haram Islamists, local officials say.

The captives, mostly women and children, were being held near the group's Sambisa forest stronghold in the north-east.

They have since been moved to a camp for displaced people in Mubi, the army said.

It is unclear if any of the 200 Chibok schoolgirls - also thought to be in the forest - were among those rescued.

The raid took place on Tuesday and targeted "suspected Boko Haram terrorist camps at Bulajilin and Manawashe villages", the army said.

Of those rescued, 192 were children and 138 were women.

Troops also killed 30 suspected jihadists and seized arms and ammunition found in the area.

image copyright AFP image caption Troops seized weapons from four Boko Haram suicide bombers

Pictures released by the army following the seizure show mainly women, some carrying babies.

Four suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers, apparently on a mission to Gubula town were also ambushed and killed by troops.

Boko Haram sparked global outrage with the kidnap of the Chibok schoolgirls in April 2014.

The Nigerian army has rescued hundreds of Boko Haram hostages, but none of the 219 kidnapped schoolgirls have been found.

Boko Haram at a glance

Founded in 2002, initially focused on opposing Western-style education - Boko Haram means "Western education is forbidden" in the Hausa language

Launched military operations in 2009

Thousands killed, mostly in north-eastern Nigeria, abducted hundreds, including at least 200 schoolgirls

Joined Islamic State, now calls itself "West African province"

Seized large area in north-east, where it declared caliphate

Regional force has retaken most territory this year