(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/75306000/jpg/_75306515_line976.jpg) Boko Haram at a glance (http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/80142000/jpg/_80142357_afp_bh.jpg)
- 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
Soldiers without weapons (http://www.theinfostride.com/news/magazine-30930767)
Who are Boko Haram? (http://www.theinfostride.com/news/world-africa-13809501)
Why Nigeria has not defeated Boko Haram (http://www.theinfostride.com/news/world-africa-27396702)
(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/75306000/jpg/_75306515_line976.jpg) Boko Haram's last attempt to take over Maiduguri a week ago was stopped by the military.
But the militants did succeed in capturing the town of Monguno - 125km (80 miles) outside the city and took over a military base.
With the insurgents gaining more and more territory Maiduguri - home to tens of thousands of people who have fled their homes because of the conflict - has been increasingly vulnerable.
Aid agencies have warned that the fall of the city would trigger a humanitarian disaster.
Analysts say that the rebels are stepping up their attacks ahead of elections in Nigeria on 14 February.
President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno and two neighbouring states in 2013, vowing to defeat the militants.
However, Boko Haram has stepped up attacks since then and there are fears that many people in the north-east will not be able to vote in the election because of the conflict.
The African Union (AU) has this week backed plans for a West African task force (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-31057147) of 7,500 troops to fight Boko Haram.
Four of Nigeria's neighbours - Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger - have agreed to contribute troops.
(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/80518000/gif/_80518088_nigeria_boko_haram_v9.gif) (http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/75306000/jpg/_75306515_line976.jpg)
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Source: BBC