The Nigerian says it has captured and is presently interrogating a key commander of the Boko Haram sect in ongoing military operations to deal with insurgency in the North east.

It gave no further details about the captured Boko Haram leader.

A press release issued Sunday and signed by Tukur Gusau, deputy director of Army Public Relations, 7 Division  Nigerian Army, also indicated that 178 persons held captive by the insurgents were rescued by Nigerian soldiers.

Of the rescued persons, 101 are children, 67 are women and only ten are men.

Gusau said that the operation aimed at clearing the insurgents from locations in the North east were carried out by troops from the 21 Brigade and the 7 Division’s 151 Task Force.

The Army spokesman said that the troops successfully cleared several communities of the insurgents including, Fadan, Shuwarin, Wulari, Ngoro Dauye, Jidori, Alikashiri, Kalzamari-Shuwa and Kalzamari-Kanuri.

He said that some items were also recovered from the locations including three flags with Boko Haram logos while five motor cycles were burnt by the troops.