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Boko Haram terrorists seize Nigerian town of Monguno: Sources

Members of Nigeria-based Boko Haram Takfiri militant group (File photo)

Takfiri Boko Haram terrorists have captured Nigeria’s northeastern town of Monguno after fierce clashes with the West African country’s army, security sources say.

"We fought them all night long but they took over the town, including the military barracks there," a senior Nigerian military officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Sunday.

Another military source confirmed that the militants had seized the town, which is located about 137 kilometers (85 miles) from the Borno state capital, Maiduguri.

"Our troops had to withdraw after fighting the terrorists for several hours. They came in full force and at the end overpowered our men," the source said.

Earlier in the day, Nigerian forces had repelled attacks by Boko Haram extremists on the nearby cities of Maiduguri and Konduga.

Nigerian Defense spokesman Chris Olukolade said a 24-hour curfew had been imposed on Maiduguri following the scuffles.

Boko Haram, whose name means “Western education is forbidden,” controls large parts of northeastern Nigeria.

It has claimed responsibility for numerous deadly attacks in various parts of Nigeria since 2009. Over 10,000 people have so far been killed in the assaults which have spread out to neighboring Chad and Cameroon.

Cameroon launched airstrikes against Boko Haram on December 28 last year after nearly 1,000 Boko Haram militants assaulted a military camp located near the country’s northern border, forcing the Cameroonian troops to flee. The base was retaken by Cameroon military later.

MSM/NT/AS


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