Boko Haram 'under siege' as Nigeria rescues 178 hostages

Nigeria's military said Monday it had "besieged" Boko Haram positions in the Islamist militant group's northeastern heartland after setting free 178 hostages, mainly women and children. The ongoing operation has led to the capture of a Boko Haram commander, according to the army, while a "large number" of the extremists have been killed in air strikes. The hostages were released on Sunday near Aulari, about 70 kilometres (40 miles) south of Maiduguri, the capital of