Nigerian army retakes Baga town from Boko Haram

[frigidmagi]

bbc

The Nigerian army has retaken the north-eastern town of Baga, held by Boko Haram militants since 3 January.

In a tweet from its official account, the army said that "mopping up" operations were continuing.

It also claimed in a separate statement that it had killed many Boko Haram militants, though this has not been independently verified.

Nigeria says 150 people died when Boko Haram took Baga and nearby Doron Baga, but locals said up to 2,000 died.

Residents were left largely undefended as the military deserted when the jihadists attacked the towns.

This time, the army claims it was the militants who fled, with some drowning in Lake Chad as they tried to escape the aerial bombardment.

It added that 1,000 mines had been laid in Baga, which soldiers had to negotiate before entering.

The BBC's Will Ross in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, say other sources have confirmed that Boko Haram no longer control Baga.

The massacre there is regarded as the worst attack of Boko Haram's six-year insurgency. Thousands fled across Lake Chad when the assault began with 7,000 taking refuge in the Chadian town of Ngouboua.

map showing Ngouboua
Boko Haram, which controls of much of Nigeria's north-east, has killed thousands of people in its drive to establish an Islamic state.

In recent months it has also carried out cross-border raids in neighbouring Chad, Cameroon and Niger, attacking villages and military bases.

All three countries have joined Nigeria to form a military coalition against the Islamist militants.

Also on Saturday, Niger's army reported the deaths of 15 Boko Haram militants following clashes in an island on the Niger side of Lake Chad.

Seven Niger soldiers and one civilian also died in the attack.

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When I was running and they were hunting us, shooting us, some people were falling and dying, others being run over with motorbikes and dying. Some reached the bank of the lake"
Hadija Abakar, survivor from Baga
The Baga massacre
Boko Haram attacked the town at dawn on 3 January
Soldiers and local people pushed the group back, but the militants returned with reinforcements
The soldiers fled and many of the townspeople made for Doron Baga on the edge of Lake Chad
The militants followed and those who did not escape were killed
How the massacre unfolded

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It is not yet clear whether other armies were involved in the recapture of Baga. However, the Chadian army spokesperson said there had been no involvement from his country's troops.

Chad has been carrying out attacks against Boko Haram deep inside Nigeria.

The Nigerian army has been criticised by its failure to tackle the militant group, although it has recaptured some territory in recent weeks.

Last week, Nigeria retook the north-eastern towns of Monguno and Marte from the group.

Nigeria's president Goodluck Jonathan, inspects the honour guard, during an event to commission Naval warships in Lagos, Nigeria on 19 February 2015
President Jonathan has been criticised for delays to the presidential election over security fears
Earlier this month, presidential elections were delayed for six weeks over security concerns.

The electoral commission said it made the decision after the security agencies advised there would not be enough troops available to guarantee the safety of voters.

President Goodluck Jonathan says the election will take place on 28 March. However, opponents say they fear Mr Jonathan, who is running for a second term, will use the delay to hold on to power.

Founded in 2002, initially focused on opposing Western-style education - Boko Haram means "Western education is forbidden" in the Hausa language
Launched military operations in 2009 to create Islamic state
Thousands killed, mostly in north-eastern Nigeria - has also attacked police and UN headquarters in capital, Abuja
Has abducted hundreds, including at least 200 schoolgirls
Controls several north-eastern towns
Has launched attacks on Cameroon