Mobile phones down

Nigerian military spokesman Brig Gen Chris Olukolade said "every resource available" to the armed forces would be used in the operation against Boko Haram.

BBC Nigeria correspondent Will Ross says this is confirmation that fighter jets and helicopter gunships are likely to be deployed.

When asked whether this would not put civilians in harm's way, Brig Gen Olukolade said the enemy bases to be targeted were in unpopulated areas close to Nigeria's borders.
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Our reporter says the hardest part of this campaign will be in urban areas like the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, where the Islamist militants are living among the civilian population.

Mobile phone networks were not functioning in many parts of north-east Nigeria on Thursday, but our reporter says it is not clear if this is related to the current military offensive.

Militants have previously attacked mobile phone masts in the area in an effort to disrupt communications.

brownlord: Cut them off from civilisation, after all they said NO to western education, so they don't need technologies, Abeg kill every moving thing you see, when you kill, don't allow their spirit escape kill tht as well, spare only children below age 10 even thou they are future terrorist, every other living thing above that age, just cut them off

zubzero: Now thats what i call military tactics. . . Now lets see if their defense wont crumble without communication!!! Gen Chris olukolade, you're a smart one sir!!!