NIGERIAN troops have rescued 13 hostages, believed to have been kidnapped by Boko Haram, in the north-western state of Kaduna, the country’s army said on Saturday.

The army said in a statement that “the troops successfully overwhelmed the terrorists, forcing them to abandon their captives.”

Several kidnappers were killed and others captured, the military added.

It is unknown which armed group the kidnappers belonged to.

The rescued hostages were taken to a military facility for a medical assessment before being reunited with their families.

Weapons, ammunition, solar panels and cash were also discovered during the rescue operation.

Kidnappings have become common in parts of northern Nigeria.

Most victims are released only after the payment of ransoms that sometimes run into the thousands of dollars.

At least 1,400 students have been taken from Nigerian schools since the 2014 kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls by Boko Haram in the village of Chibok.

Boko Haram launched its insurgency in 2009 to establish Islamic Shariah law in the country.