#News: Chad army 'kills Nigeria militants'

[BBC]

 Retreating Boko Haram fighters have raided Fotokol, a town on the Cameroonian side of the border, a resident said.

She told the BBC Hausa service that she had seen about 30 bodies, all with gunshot wounds, in a mosque in the town.  

The six-year insurgency has claimed thousands of lives and displaced some 1.5 million people.

Nigeria's military is under increasing pressure to regain territory ahead of the 14 February presidential election, amid concerns that the insurgency will prevent many people in the north-east from voting.

 Boko Haram at a glance

 

• 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

Why is Boko Haram so strong?

Soldiers without weapons


Source: BBC