2nd LD Writethru: Nigerian gov't reclaims Boko Haram's stronghold ahead of polls

Nigerian government forces on Friday reclaimed a stronghold of the militant sect Boko Haram in northeast Borno State, in a concerted and well-coordinated land and air operations, military spokesman Chris Olukolade said.

The victory recorded at the headquarters of Boko Haram's caliphate in Borno State was preceded by successive sack of terrorists from towns and villages leading to Gwoza, one of the territories controlled by the group since last year, the military mouthpiece said in an official statement made available to Xinhua.

"Several of the terrorists have died and many of them captured in the process. A lot of arms and ammunition have been recovered and the administrative headquarters (of the sect) completely destroyed," he said.

A massive cordon and search has commenced to locate any of the fleeing terrorists or hostages in their custody, he added.

Nigeria's president Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday given the hint that Gwoza, located in the southern part of Borno State, would be liberated from Boko Haram by Friday.

The country's defense headquarters said, however, the effectiveness of the military was challenged by the porosity of Nigeria's borders, which gave the terrorists leverage to operate in Nigeria and retreat into safe havens in neighboring countries of Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

But the military's strategy of taking over virtually all the enclaves and hideouts where the terrorists were marauding on the eve of the final battle really helped in conquering the Boko Haram, according to Olukolade.

"It is observed that some of the terrorists are currently fleeing toward border areas. The fleeing terrorists will expectedly run into subsequent encounter with contingents of partners in the Multinational Joint Task Force who have been mandated to contain them accordingly," said the defense spokesman.

Mop up operation is currently going on in Gwoza and other liberated areas to ensure that no vestiges of terrorists or terrorism remain in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, he said.

The victory over Boko Haram recorded by the Nigerian military on Friday came few hours to a very crucial presidential election in the West African country on Saturday.

Security sources said with the latest victory of the government forces, only two districts, namely Abadam in the north of Borno and Kala Balge, situated at the central district area of the same state, are still under the control of Boko Haram, which seeks to enshrine the Islamic Sharia law in the constitution of Nigeria.

On Feb. 7, Nigeria shifted its general election, earlier scheduled for Feb. 14, by six weeks to allow the military recapture all the communities seized by Boko Haram since last year. Endi