Gwoza

Nigerian forces backed by warplanes invaded Islamist group Boko Haram's last known stronghold, the Sambisa forest, on Wednesday, in an effort to finally defeat their six-year-old insurgency, two military sources said.

Nigeria's military on Friday announced that troops had retaken the town of Gwoza from Boko Haram, from which the group declared their caliphate last year.

The Nigerian army said it destroyed the headquarters of Boko Haram after capturing the northeastern town of Gwoza from the Islamist insurgent group.

Boko Haram gunmen killed 68 people, including many children, in a massacre in the northeast Nigeria village of Njaba, two witnesses and two vigilantes told AFP on Thursday.

Boko Haram militants have been amassing in the northeast Nigeria town of Gwoza, believed to be the group's headquarters, killing residents who were unable to flee, a senator and witnesses said on Thursday.

Boko Haram, the Islamic extremist group operating mainly in northeastern Nigeria, claims it has added the city of Gwoza to an Islamic state that it has established in northeastern Nigeria.

Nigeria's military fought gun battles with Boko Haram Islamists in two key northeastern towns today, after the militants killed dozens of people and drove soldiers out of Gwoza town two days ago, security sources and the military said.

Security officials and a witness say fighters from Nigeria's Boko Haram militant have seized Gwoza town, overwhelming soldiers based in the northeast area before attacking civilians.

Nigerian forces backed by warplanes invaded Islamist group Boko Haram's last known stronghold, the Sambisa forest, on Wednesday, in an effort to finally defeat their six-year-old insurgency, two military sources said.

Nigeria's military on Friday announced that troops had retaken the town of Gwoza from Boko Haram, from which the group declared their caliphate last year.

The Nigerian army said it destroyed the headquarters of Boko Haram after capturing the northeastern town of Gwoza from the Islamist insurgent group.

Boko Haram gunmen killed 68 people, including many children, in a massacre in the northeast Nigeria village of Njaba, two witnesses and two vigilantes told AFP on Thursday.

Boko Haram militants have been amassing in the northeast Nigeria town of Gwoza, believed to be the group's headquarters, killing residents who were unable to flee, a senator and witnesses said on Thursday.

Boko Haram, the Islamic extremist group operating mainly in northeastern Nigeria, claims it has added the city of Gwoza to an Islamic state that it has established in northeastern Nigeria.

Nigeria's military fought gun battles with Boko Haram Islamists in two key northeastern towns today, after the militants killed dozens of people and drove soldiers out of Gwoza town two days ago, security sources and the military said.

Security officials and a witness say fighters from Nigeria's Boko Haram militant have seized Gwoza town, overwhelming soldiers based in the northeast area before attacking civilians.