By Rafiu Ajakaye
LAGOS
The Nigerian military has liberated several towns captured by Boko Haram militants in the restive northeastern region, the government said on Monday.
"The situation in Adamawa shows that Hong, Mubi North, Mubi South, Maiha, Michika, Shuwa, Wuro Gyambi, Gombi, Vimtim, Uba, and Bazza area have been liberated from Boko Haram presence," Mike Omeri, who heads the country's information center on counterinsurgency, told a news briefing in Abuja.
He said the towns of Mafa, Gamboru Ngala, Malamfatori, Abadam and Marte in the Borno State have also been cleared of militants.
Troops are "advancing to retake other affected areas", Omeri said.
"Equally in Yobe State, government troops have recaptured parts of Gujba and Gulani which had witnessed Boko Haram presence," Omeri said.
He, however, said that militants still control some towns like Gulak, Wagga-Mildo, Shelini/Capra, Sabon Gari and Gubla.
For the last five years, Nigeria has battled a fierce Boko Haram insurgency that has ravaged the country's volatile northeast and claimed thousands of lives.
The year 2014 proved to be the insurgency's bloodiest year yet, with increasingly frequent attacks, higher death tolls and a deluge of displaced persons.
The violence displaced well over 1.5 million people in 2014, according to a recent report by the Borno State government.
