An image grab made on October 31, 2014 shows the leader of the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram Abubakar Shekau (C) delivering a speech
Nigerian troops, backed by civilian vigilantes and local hunters, have reclaimed Gombi and Hong towns seized by Boko Haram Islamists last week, residents and a local fighter said Wednesday.
The re-capture of the towns on Tuesday was the latest success the military has recorded against Boko Haram in recent days, they claimed.
“Gombi and Hong have been liberated from Boko Haram by the combined effort of soldiers and our men,” said Phillip James, spokesman for the local hunters’ union in northeast Adamawa state.
“Boko Haram are on the run but soldiers and hunters are pursuing them,” he said.
Hundreds of troops backed by a large number of civilian vigilantes and local hunters chased the Boko Haram fighters out of the two towns.
The soldiers and the vigilantes backed by fighter jets stormed the towns on Monday and engaged the militants in a fierce gunfight Tuesday, killing several militants, according to residents.
At least 10 soldiers were killed in the fighting, they said.
The Islamists took over Gombi and Hong last Thursday after pushing out troops, forcing hundreds of residents to flee, while others remained trapped.
“The ongoing military operations in north-eastern Nigeria is to clear all areas infested by terrorists,” a statement by the military said.
It said that “many” militants were captured in the operation while others died in the assault.
“Weapons and equipment are also being recovered while (a) mopping-up exercise is ongoing in the areas,” the military said in a Twitter message.
The insurgents’ had invaded the two towns after they were ousted from the commercial town of Mubi by civilian vigilantes and hunters.
Boko Haram seized Mubi and renamed it ‘Madinatul Islam’, or City of Islam, two weeks earlier after driving out soldiers.
The extremists began administering punishments including flogging and amputation as part of the implementation of strict Islamic sharia.
“Soldiers and vigilantes have taken back Gombi after serious fighting with Boko Haram,” said Gombi resident Salisu Mbar.
“The troops and vigilantes carried out ground offensive while military jets bombarded Boko Haram positions as they fled,” he stated.
The Islamists have made major gains over the past 18 months and violence has continued at a relentless pace in three northeastern states under a state of emergency.
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