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Nigerian army begins raids on Boko Haram in Borno | Nigerian army begins raids on Boko Haram in Borno |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Nigeria's army has begun operations against militant Islamists in the north-east, military officials say. | Nigeria's army has begun operations against militant Islamists in the north-east, military officials say. |
They say troops raided parts of a game reserve in Borno state where the Boko Haram group has established bases. | They say troops raided parts of a game reserve in Borno state where the Boko Haram group has established bases. |
The raids came after states of emergency were declared in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa north-eastern states, where 2,000 people have died since Boko Haram launched an insurgency in 2009. | The raids came after states of emergency were declared in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa north-eastern states, where 2,000 people have died since Boko Haram launched an insurgency in 2009. |
A dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed in Adamawa to curb militant attacks. | A dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed in Adamawa to curb militant attacks. |
A BBC reporter in Adamawa says that decision is surprising, as the security situation there is less serious than in Borno and Yobe. | A BBC reporter in Adamawa says that decision is surprising, as the security situation there is less serious than in Borno and Yobe. |
Mobile phones down | Mobile phones down |
On Thursday soldiers raided "terrorist camps" in the Sambisa Game Reserve, a remote 500 sq km (200 sq mile) savannah in Borno that is known to be a haven for Boko Haram militants, officials are quoted as saying. | On Thursday soldiers raided "terrorist camps" in the Sambisa Game Reserve, a remote 500 sq km (200 sq mile) savannah in Borno that is known to be a haven for Boko Haram militants, officials are quoted as saying. |
Nigerian military spokesman Brig Gen Chris Olukolade said "every resource available" to the armed forces would be used against Boko Haram. | Nigerian military spokesman Brig Gen Chris Olukolade said "every resource available" to the armed forces would be used against Boko Haram. |
Correspondents say this means fighter jets and helicopter gunships are likely to be deployed. | |
When asked whether this would not put civilians in harm's way, Brig Gen Olukolade said the targeted bases were in unpopulated areas close to Nigeria's borders. | When asked whether this would not put civilians in harm's way, Brig Gen Olukolade said the targeted bases were in unpopulated areas close to Nigeria's borders. |
Our reporter says the hardest part of this campaign will be in urban areas like the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, where the Islamist militants are living among the civilian population. | Our reporter says the hardest part of this campaign will be in urban areas like the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, where the Islamist militants are living among the civilian population. |
Mobile phone networks were not functioning in many parts of north-east Nigeria on Thursday, but our reporter says it is not clear if this is related to the current military offensive. | Mobile phone networks were not functioning in many parts of north-east Nigeria on Thursday, but our reporter says it is not clear if this is related to the current military offensive. |
Militants have previously attacked mobile phone masts in the area in an effort to disrupt communications. | Militants have previously attacked mobile phone masts in the area in an effort to disrupt communications. |
The BBC's Abdullahi Tasiu Abubakar in Adamawa city says many there feel the curfew is unnecessary and will disrupt their lives. | The BBC's Abdullahi Tasiu Abubakar in Adamawa city says many there feel the curfew is unnecessary and will disrupt their lives. |
Our reporter adds that there is no sign of a huge military build-up in the city since President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency on Tuesday in the three states. | Our reporter adds that there is no sign of a huge military build-up in the city since President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency on Tuesday in the three states. |
The president said the army would take "all necessary action" to "put an end to the impunity of insurgents and terrorists". | The president said the army would take "all necessary action" to "put an end to the impunity of insurgents and terrorists". |
Boko Haram, whose name means "Western education is forbidden" in the local Hausa language, is fighting to overthrow the government and create an Islamic state in the north. | Boko Haram, whose name means "Western education is forbidden" in the local Hausa language, is fighting to overthrow the government and create an Islamic state in the north. |
Although they often attack Christians and government targets, they have also killed many Muslim civilians. | Although they often attack Christians and government targets, they have also killed many Muslim civilians. |