Nigeria' military says hundreds of captives have escaped from Boko Haram bases on islands in Lake Chad. These islands have become a safe haven for Boko Haram, after the insurgents were dislodged from their strongholds in the Sambisa forest. CGTN's Kelechi Emekalam has more.

KELECHI EMEKALAM ABUJA, NIGERIA Nigerian army says 700 Boko Haram abductees have escaped Captives forced to labour in Boko Haram farms before their escape. Another group of 407 were rescued last month. Those rescued are mostly elderly men, women and children. They all escaped from various islands in Lake Chad and made their way to Monguno - a rural town in Borno in Borno state. Before their escape, they were forced to labour in Boko Haram farms. The army claims the intensified raids on Boko Haram hide outs in the islands made it possible for the captives to break loose. All 700 of them are currently being held in a military facility in Monguno, Borno state. They are currently undergoing routine screening and medical checks - before being transferred to IDP Camps. It's not the first time hundreds are rescued from Boko Haram hide outs in the islands. Another group of 407 were similarly rescued last month.