Move comes amid major offensive in three northeastern states against group seeking to create Islamic state.

Nigerian soldiers have blocked roads out of a key northeastern city to deprive Boko Haram fighters of supplies in remote towns they control, the army has said.

The military said on Sunday that its offensive against the group, which followed a declaration of a state of emergency in three northeastern states, was aimed at re-establishing Nigeria's "territorial integrity".

The assault on Boko Haram, which has said it wants to create an Islamic state, included air strikes on strongholds in remote parts of northeastern Borno state, and has spread to the state capital Maiduguri, the fighters' traditional home base.

Residents said on Sunday the base had been blockaded.

"There is a huge build-up of trucks loaded with essential commodities... along the Baga road on the way out of Maiduguri to the northern part of the state," said Ibrahim Yahaya.

"The drivers said they have been prevented by the military from going northward," he told the AFP news agency by email.

'Run out of supplies'

The phone network in Borno has all but collapsed since president Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday declared a state of emergency there and in two neighbouring states, Adamawa and Yobe.

Chris Olukolade, a defence spokesman, said in a statement on Saturday that fighters on the run were scrambling for key supplies like fuel. He urged residents to report anyone trying to buy large quantities of fuel.

The supply shortage has begun to bite in the town of Gomboru Ngala, on the border with Cameroon, where some Borno residents have fled to escape the air raids.

"Trucks bringing in goods from Maiduguri have ceased since last week," said resident Grema Babagoni. He said the supply shortage has pushed prices up by as much as 25 percent.

"If the blockade continues for some time we may completely run out of supplies," he told AFP.

On Saturday the army declared a 24-hour curfew in a dozen neighbourhoods of Maiduguri, Boko Haram's stronghold.

The curfew in the main city in Borno state came as soldiers continued the government's emergency campaign against fighters in the region on Saturday.

A defence spokesman also said the military had seized stockpiles of weapons including rocket-propelled grenades, guns and ammunition from areas around Maiduguri.

Boko Haram has carried out scores of attacks in recent years, and has become emboldened and better armed in recent months.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2013/05/2013519122043632403.html

Evidence that the Nigerian army when on their best behavior ,and while respecting civilian life , are one of the best in Africa.

Omo our soldiers are second to the usa.our soldiers dey try o

the nigerian army has never lost a war.

Good one boys,just make the journey quick for those animals to go get their 72 virgins

Army job = hurting people you,ve never known!well, killing'em all.

HOPE ALL DIX GOOD STORIES THAT AM HEARING IS TRUE

No where 2 run,no where 2 hide its operation kill d damn boko ram boiz

So far, so good. Hope itz resolved as quickly as possible

Dis Boko boys go fear. Dem go see military hand

.

That's Good. Cut Supplies And They'll Starve To Death.

BH will be gone by June

Jtf kill all d blood sockers

The days of Boko boys are definitely numbered, I'm really impressed with the Nigeria Army, one cannot but feel for the innocent civilians who ll have to endure hardship for only God knows when. If that's the price to pay to restore back the slogan of Borno State 'Home of Peace', then I think its worth it

Kill dem all, dats all

moderatorr:
the nigerian army has never lost a war.

Good to know! Really war against other nations unites a country more. UP NA
They should go and fight Russia then will be more united..

haxan919: HOPE ALL DIX GOOD STORIES THAT AM HEARING IS TRUE

thomas! Go there and confirm.

While this move is on, I think combing the area periodically would save time and put them at advantage rather than waiting for them to come out, with an offensive also.

Kudos to Nigerian Army, just make sure care is taken to prevent civilian casualty.

I like the word blockade. It's a time tested war strategy.

I cant find any of shekau's youtube comments again.

The end is imminent for the bufoon!

I hope gold-circle will give him discount on his way to the No 72, virgin island, Hell estate

I am sharing this update to appreciate the strong men of the Nigerian Army who are risking their lives to confront the forces of hate, intolerance and tyranny, up north our dear nation. Remember there is strength in valour. Better we died for some good cause than we lived, enslaved by pleasure. I commend you to the good God!

Abeg make all these our soldiers no kill innocent civilians join oh...

Starve them and let's see how they will have the strength to go and hustle those 'imaginary' virgins in the after life.
Mtscheeeew! Boko Baggers!

Take no prisoners. Shoot two of their eyes and let them go free

Find them and fish them out no matter where they are hiding. Enough is enough

I just thank God for the safety of my colleague and I. We just sneaked out of a remote village (not far from the border) in Yobe state where we went to work for a construction company from PH. The state as a whole is now a ghost state, nothing serious is really happening apart from the heavy military presence there. We are now close to Bauchi, will soon enter Jos, where we'll spend the night then continue our journey back to ph first thing moro.

frosbel: Evidence that the Nigerian army when on their best behavior ,and while respecting civilian life , are one of the best in Africa.

Evidence? What evidence?

Impressive!!! I hope the effort is stepped up to force those unrepentant virgin hunters to give up the chase, rather than losing out on both side.