LAGOS
Nigeria announced on Thursday dislodging Boko Haram militants from ones they had seized in the restive northeastern Borno state, including Damboa where they had chased out locals and hoisted their flag.
"Special forces in the ongoing counterterrorism campaign have cleared Delwa, Mustafari, Manga, Wanga and Damboa of terrorists who have been rampaging in the communities," the army said in a statement on its website.
The statement said the operations began early in the week and is ongoing, but stopped short of mentioning casualties on both sides.
"The special operation, which began early in the week, is meant to restore law and order to the area and apprehend all terrorists who have been operating in the locality," it stated.
The military also tacitly confirmed that militants had taken over Gwoza, another major Borno town, in a Wednesday morning raid.
"Troops are also involved in maneuvers to apprehend terrorists who have been attacking Gwoza and surrounding localities since Tuesday causing the death of many civilians," it said.
Nigeria is battling a five-year militancy which birthed in its northeast but has recently spread to other parts of the country, including capital Abuja.
At least 4,000 people have been killed this year alone while millions have been displaced, according to local parliamentary figures.
Borno - like its northeastern neighbors of Adamawa and Yobe - is under a state of emergency imposed last year May to confront the Boko Haram insurgency.
By Rafiu Ajakaye
www.aa.com.tr/en
