A senior military official says Nigerian troops have recaptured Bama in Borno state from the Boko Haram insurgents and blocked the Islamist militants’ from advancing towards the state capital, Maiduguri.
The officer who spoke to Reuters said that Nigerian troops are also fighting the insurgents as they try to claim key towns into Adamawa state.
“Bama has been recaptured by the soldiers and I can confirm to you Maiduguri is safe,” the officer said.
The soldiers also killed 50 Boko Haram fighters during a raid on their hideout in the small north-eastern town of Kawuri as they bid to fend off the militant sect that has threatened to create an Islamic state.
“Over 50 terrorists died yesterday (Sunday) afternoon as troops raided their hideout in Kawuri before setting out on a planned attack on Konduga,” it said in a statement released on its official website.
“One fabricated artillery gun, two anti-aircraft gun, an armoured vehicle and assorted types of ammunition were captured in the process. Some hardware, weapons, food items and personal belongings were also destroyed in the raid.
“One officer and two soldiers were seriously wounded.”
The government source said insurgents had been driven from Bama, which is southeast of Maiduguri. Government warplanes have bombed and strafed the militants after they stormed Bama last week.
On Monday 8 September, BBC reported that Boko Haram had seized Michika, a trading centre in Adamawa state.
