The Nigerian army has taken over the north-eastern town of Baga which was seized by BokoHaram militants since January 3rd.
A tweet from the army’s official account indicated that “mopping up” operations were ongoing.
The BBC reoprts that it also revealed that it has killed several Boko Haram militants, though this has not been independently verified.
Nigeria has said about 150 people died when Boko Haram seized the town but locals said up to 2,000 died.
Boko Haram militants drown in Lake Chad
In a related development,hundreds of Boko Haram fighters, fleeing the aerial bombardments from Nigerian Air Force fighter jets, have drowned in Lake Chad.
The strategy of mining over 1,500 spots on the routes leading to the town could not even save the fighters from the aggressive move of advancing the troops.
The Vanguard reported that attempts by fighters to catch the troops unawares with the planting of land mines proved useless as all the mines were cleared
The militant islamist group has carried out several attacks on Nigeria’s north east in a bid to establish an Islamic state.
The group has also carried out cross-border raids in neighbouring countries such as Chad, Cameroon and Niger.
About Boko Haram
Founded in 2002 Initially focused on opposing Western education – Boko Haram means “Western education is forbidden” in the Hausa language
Launched military operations in 2009 to create an Islamic state
Thousands killed, mostly in north-eastern Nigeria – but also attacks on police and UN headquarters in capital, Abuja
Some three million people affected
Declared terrorist group by US in 2013
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By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana