Nigerian government soldiers storm Boko Haram last fortress

Army chief, Lt. General Kenneth Minimah (right) looks at suspected detainees cleared of being members of Boko Haram Islamists sit during a ceremony for their freedom in Maiduguri, Borno State on July 6, 2015. Nigerian soldiers stormed Sambisa Forest, the last fortress of Boko Haram militants on Tuesday. PHOTO | AFP

What you need to know:

  • Nigerian soldiers stormed Sambisa Forest, the last fortress of Boko Haram militants.
  • The troops entered the forest after heavy bombardment by the ground and air troops started on Sunday.
  • Many fighters were killed by soldiers manning their secret routes in Pulka Village near rocky Gwoza town.
  • The government has said that the December deadline given to end the menace of Boko Haram could be shifted.

ABUJA, Wednesday

Nigerian soldiers stormed Sambisa Forest, the last fortress of Boko Haram militants.

The troops entered the forest after heavy bombardment by the ground and air troops started on Sunday, spokesman of the Nigeria army, Col Sani Usman, said in a statement.

Soldiers intensified the fight in a bid to beat the December deadline set to uproot the insurgents.

Many fighters were killed by soldiers manning their secret routes in Pulka Village near rocky Gwoza town.

At the same time, the government has expressed commitment to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of areas affected by the insurgency in the north east.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo gave the assurance when he received a delegation from the north east caucus of the National Assembly, which paid him a courtesy call at the Presidential Villa.

The government, he said, would ensure that the people recovered from the trauma of terrorism and insurgency.

The government has said that the December deadline given to end the menace of Boko Haram could be shifted.

The new position was informed by the gravity of the entrenchment of insurgents in the vast forest. President Muhammadu Buhari said that the deadline was feasible as well as amendable, depending on the situation.