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Nigeria army to intensify offensive in Boko Haram stronghold

Xinhua, June 2, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Nigerian troops will intensify offensive in Sambisa Forest, the stronghold of Boko Haram, to rid it of militants from the Islamist group.

Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin on Wednesday said the Operation Crack Down recently launched into Sambisa Forest was yielding positive results, including the rescue of two Chibok girls.

The two are the first group of Chibok groups to be rescued since their abduction by Boko Haram militants some two years ago.

More than 200 girls were taken from their secondary school in the northeastern Nigerian town of Chibok in April 2014. In all, 217 girls remain missing.

Olonisakin said the operation was continuing in the forest, believed to be the last stronghold of Boko Haram.

He said the Boko Haram militants had been "decimated" and that it had become increasingly difficult for them to carry out attacks in the country.

The troops say many Boko Haram militants have surrendered to them during their offensive.

Boko Haram has killed more than 10,000 people, mostly in northeastern Nigeria, since it launched its campaign of violence in 2009.

The Nigerian army has in the past year retaken most territory previously under Boko Haram control. Endit