Boko Haram captives escape

More than 60 women and girls abducted in June by Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram have reportedly escaped.

It is believed the captives made their getaway when the militants attacked a military base in the town of Damboa, in Borno state, in the north-east of the country.

Nigeria’s military said it killed 53 rebels repelling the assault.

The escaped women were taken last month near the same area where the Islamists captured and are still holding more than 200 schoolgirls in April. That mass abduction triggered an international outcry.

Boko Haram is demanding the release of prisoners in exchange for the 200 schoolgirls, something Nigeria’s government has so far refused to do.