Nigerian troops recapture more towns from Boko Haram insurgents

Nigerian troops combating terrorists in northeastern states on Saturday captured two more towns from Boko Haram militants in Yobe State.

Spokesperson for the Nigerian Army Col. Sani Usman told Xinhua that governmental troops encountered little resistance during the operations as the insurgents were on the run.

Cordon, search and mopping up operations are still underway in the areas, said Usman, adding that the troops are continuing operations to recover other few areas occupied by the group.

Nigerian troops have routed Boko Haram fighters from different towns and communities in northern Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states in the last few weeks.

Boko Haram has intensified its attacks in violence-wracked northeastern Nigeria just few weeks before the country's rescheduled presidential election.

Boko Haram, whose name means "Western education is forbidden," controls some parts of northeastern states and says its goal is to overthrow the Nigerian government.

It has claimed responsibility for a number of deadly shooting attacks and bombings in various parts of Nigeria since the beginning of its operations in 2009, which have left over 13,000 people dead and 1.5 million displaced. Endi