The Nigerian army, working with local vigilantes known as the Civilian Joint Task Force have pushed members of Boko Haram out of, and repossess Chibok town in Borno state. Book Haram had, on Thursday, captured the town, from where about 300 female students of the Government Girls Secondary School were abducted by the same Boko Haram on April 14 this year.
The Army spokesman, General Olajide Olaleye said: “Mopping up ops ongoing. (The) town is now secured.”
An elder in Chibok, Mr. Pogu Bitrus confirmed too that Chibok was recaptured in a joint operation between the army and the local vigilante. He said that the vigilantes fought inside Chibok while army soldiers “stayed outside the town to mop up the insurgents trying to escape.”
Boko Haram fighters had captured the town on Thursday after a battle lasting several hours that local officials said left many victims among both the insurgents and the local militias dead. Several residents said the army had fled the assault, leaving the vigilantes to fight on their own against Boko Haram.
There was no immediate information about any casualties from Saturday’s battle for the town, which witnesses said is virtually empty of residents. [myad]
