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Nigeria says it has ousted Boko Haram from town of Bama Nigeria says it has ousted Boko Haram from town of Bama
(about 9 hours later)
Nigeria's military says it has retaken the north-eastern town of Bama from the Islamist military group Boko Haram.Nigeria's military says it has retaken the north-eastern town of Bama from the Islamist military group Boko Haram.
A large number of militants were killed and a "mopping up" operation is continuing in the second largest town in Borno state, it said.A large number of militants were killed and a "mopping up" operation is continuing in the second largest town in Borno state, it said.
Boko Haram was reportedly also ousted from Goniri, its last base in neighbouring Yobe state.Boko Haram was reportedly also ousted from Goniri, its last base in neighbouring Yobe state.
The group wants to impose Islamist rule and recently joined the Islamic State militants based in Syria and Iraq. The group recently swore allegiance to the Islamic State militants based in Syria and Iraq.
More than 13,000 people have been killed since 2009. The violence in Nigeria has killed more than 13,000 people since 2009.
More than 1.5 million people have been displaced by the violence.
The conflict has since spread to neighbouring countries, including Chad and Cameroon.The conflict has since spread to neighbouring countries, including Chad and Cameroon.
Ongoing offensiveOngoing offensive
Nigerian military spokesman Gen Chris Olukolade said the militants had suffered "massive" casualties, AFP news agency reports. Nigeria's military spokesman Gen Chris Olukolade said the militants had suffered "massive" casualties, AFP news agency reports.
Bama is significant as it is close to the state capital Maiduguri and has witnessed some of the worst violence during this insurgency, the BBC's Will Ross reports from Lagos.Bama is significant as it is close to the state capital Maiduguri and has witnessed some of the worst violence during this insurgency, the BBC's Will Ross reports from Lagos.
The town was attacked several times by the jihadists before it was captured six months ago, our correspondent says. The town was attacked several times by the jihadists before they captured it six months ago, our correspondent says.
Boko Haram fighters were forced to flee towards the border with Chad, the Nigerian military said, adding that it was now up to the Chadian military to pursue them. The military said those jihadists who fled Bama headed for the border with Chad and it had requested the Chadian army to pursue them.
In a separate development, Gen Olukolade tweeted to say Goniri had been regained on Monday.In a separate development, Gen Olukolade tweeted to say Goniri had been regained on Monday.
Nigeria and several of its neighbours recently launched an offensive against the militants.Nigeria and several of its neighbours recently launched an offensive against the militants.
Officials say Boko Haram no longer controls any urban centres in Yobe and Adamawa - two out of the three worst affected states in the north-east. Officials say Boko Haram no longer controls any urban centres in Yobe and Adamawa - two out of the three worst-affected states in the north-east.
Gen Olukolade also pledged that Borno would soon be freed. Gen Olukolade also pledged that Borno, the birthplace of Boko Haram, would soon be freed.
Boko Haram at a glance:Boko Haram at a glance:
What Boko Haram left behind in BagaWhat Boko Haram left behind in Baga
Why is Boko Haram so strong?Why is Boko Haram so strong?
IS shaping Boko Haram mediaIS shaping Boko Haram media