In recent weeks, Nigerian troops have killed 76 Boko Haram and ISWAP militants in the country's northeastern Borno state, military spokesperson Major-General Edward Buba said on Thursday.
The militants, believed to be from Boko Haram and its offshoot ISWAP, intensified attacks in the northeastern Nigerian state of Borno recently, including a deadly assault on the Dumba community on Sunday that killed at least 40 farmers.
Nigerian military eliminated 24 fighters during offensive operations in the Damboa, Bama, and Chibok areas of Borno between January 7 and 13, Buba said.
The troops also arrested 72 suspects, rescued eight hostages, and recovered weapons, including AK-47 rifles and grenades.
ISWAP pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (Daesh)*.
*a terrorist group outlawed in Russia and many other countries