Nigeria's militant Islamist group
Boko Haram has seized the key
north-eastern town of Bama after
fierce fighting with government
forces, residents say.

The military has not yet officially
commented on the claim that it has
lost control of Bama, the second
biggest town in Borno state.

Last month, Boko Haram said it had
established an Islamic state in areas
it controls in north-eastern Nigeria.
If confirmed, the capture of Bama
would be an extremely significant
development and would raise
concerns that Boko Haram's next
target will be Maiduguri, the state
capital about 70km (45 miles) away,
says BBC Hausa service editor
Mansur Liman in the capital, Abuja.
It would be the biggest town under
Boko Haram control.

Residents told BBC Hausa that Boko
Haram captured Bama after heavy
fighting on Sunday and Monday.
The military had initially repelled
Boko Haram's assault, but the group
returned with reinforcements to
seize the town, the residents said.

The militants, who travelled in
armoured trucks, first took control of
the military barracks, they added.
Soldiers and residents fled on foot,
many of them walking all the way to
Maiduguri, residents told the BBC.
Several security sources said Boko
Haram had over-run much of Bama
and there were heavy casualties on
both sides, Reuters news agency
reports.

About 70 militants had been killed,
the Associated Press quoted
security sources as saying.

On Monday, the military said on its
Twitter account that the air force
had been used to "repel and
dislodge" Boko Haram from Bama.
Government troops are battling to
defeat the well-armed insurgents.

The most recent census, in 2006,
showed the town had a population of
about 270,000.

An overnight curfew has been
imposed in Maiduguri to prevent
"infiltration" by militants, it added.
Boko Haram's five-year insurgency
has intensified in recent months
despite the deployment of thousands
of extra troops to the worst-affected
areas.

In April, the militants captured more
than 200 girls from a boarding
school in the town of Chibok, also in
Borno state.

Countries such as China, France, the
UK and US have sent military
assistance to help find the girls but
they have not yet been rescued.

Source: www.m.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29021037

what's happening to the "giant" of Africa?

Not surprised about the source of this Bullshiit.

Largas: Not surprised about the source of this Bullshiit.

Why are u not surprised?