Some 18 villagers held hostage by the Boko Haram insurgents were also helped to freedom by the soldiers.
Spokesman of the Nigeria Army, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, disclosed this in a statement last night.
“Troops of 151 Task Force Battalion, 21 Brigade have also cleared remnants of Boko Haram terrorists from three villages in Iza general area, killing 25 Boko Haram terrorists and recovered some weapons”, the statement reads.
“The cleared villages were Mballeri, Shuari 1 and Shuari 2.
“In addition, the troops also rescued 18 persons held captive by the terrorists. They comprised of 2 men, 7 women and 9 children. The rescued persons have been moved to the Brigade’s headquarters for further screening and care.
“Unfortunately, one Civilian JTF accompanying the troops felt off a vehicle and sustained some injuries. He has however since been evacuated to the unit’s Regimental Aid Post for medical treatment and he is in stable condition”.