08 February 2016•Update: 12 February 2016
By Rafiu Ajakaye
LAGOS, Nigeria
Nigeria’s army says it is establishing special courts for its troops amid a probe into the resurgence of Boko Haram violence in the country's north-east.
Spokesman Sani Usman said on Monday that the military was worried by the rise in militant attacks.
"The recent unfortunate attacks by Boko Haram terrorists on communities close to Maiduguri, despite our successes, calls for concern.
“To this end, the the Nigerian Army has already commenced an investigation into the attacks," he said.
Usman confirmed that a special court martial has been established to try "all those found wanting" in accordance with military law.
"All cases of indiscipline and related acts of misconduct, including human rights abuse, in the operations will be tried by this Special Court Martial," Usman added.
After months of a lull in urban violence, Boko Haram has launched deadly attacks on communities close to Maiduguri, the main town in the region ravaged by insurgency since 2009, killing over a hundred people in recent weeks.
On Jan. 30, over 85 people were confirmed killed when the militants raided and set alight Dalori, a village a few kilometers from Maiduguri. At least 10 people were also killed in a Jan. 29 suicide attack on a market in Gombi in neighboring Adamawa state.
These attacks, along with claims of continuous insecurity in the region, have called into question claims by the Nigerian government that it has won the battle against the militants.
