Abuja:  The Nigerian army has freed at least 160 girls and women from the hands of Boko Haram, as it continued its advance on the Sambisa natural reserve, the last major stronghold of the terrorist group, an official said on Thursday.

Nigerian armed forces spokesperson Col. Sani Usman was quoted by Efe news agency as saying that the forces released around 100 girls and 60 women, just two days after the army rescued 200 girls and 93 other women in the same area.