The Nigerian army has retaken the north-eastern town of Baga, held by Boko
Haram militants since 3 January.
In a tweet from its official account, the army said that “mopping up”
operations were continuing.
It also claimed in a separate statement that it had killed many Boko Haram
militants, though this has not been independently verified.
Nigeria says 150 people died when Boko Haram took Baga and nearby Doron
Baga, but locals said up to 2,000 died.
Residents were left largely undefended as the military deserted when the
jihadists attacked the towns.
This time, the army claims it was the militants who fled, with some
drowning in Lake Chad as they tried to escape the aerial bombardment.
It added that 1,000 mines had been laid in Baga which soldiers had to
negotiate before entering.
The BBC’s Will Ross in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, say other sources have
confirmed that Boko Haram no longer control Baga.
The massacre there is regarded as the worst attack of Boko Haram’s
six-year insurgency. Thousands fled across Lake Chad when the assault
began and have since taken refuge in Chad.
BBC