The Nigerian military has finally liberated Gwoza, a popular town in North Eastern Borno State, from the control of Boko Haram.
The Defence Headquarters, in a tweet, said the town was liberated on Friday morning by troops.
“FLASH: Troops this morning captured Gwoza destroying the Headquarters of the Terrorists self-styled Caliphate”, the DHQ said Friday morning.
Gwoza, one of the largest towns in Borno, fell under the control of Boko Haram on August 6, 2014.
The insurgents, after sacking the town, killed many people and displaced others, including the Emir, Muhammed Timta, erected its flag, declaring the area as an Islamic caliphate.
The liberation of Gwoza comes less than 24 hours before crucial presidential and national legislative elections are scheduled to hold in Nigeria.
Similarly, the news Friday that troops have recaptured the town confirmed President Goodluck Jonathan’s assurance on Wednesday, while receiving some International Election Monitoring Groups at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, that Gwoza would be liberated today.
There were reports that Boko Haram was hiding the abducted Chibok schoolgirls in Gwoza, but the military hasn’t said if indeed, they were found there.
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