Nigerian Army on offense to force Boko Haram militants out of Borno State

• published: 07 Sep 2014
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Nigeria’s military went on the offensive against Boko Haram Islamic militants Friday in the towns of Damboa and Gwoza, which lie on key roads to Chad and Cameroon in Borno State. The military took action as part of a special operation to restore law and order to the area after many months of being under siege by terrorists. Boko Haram fighters stormed the area on Wednesday, burning homes and ousting the Emir of Gwoza, the traditional ruler of the area. This in turn sent many of the local residents fleeing into the bush, trying to survive by any means. While the Nigerian military crackdown is seen by many as a good start to quelling Boko Haram’s advances in the region, many groups such as Amnesty International are questioning the tactics used, saying the soldiers are slitting the throats of the militant combatants in the same manner they would on them, further highlighting a sense of endless strife in the region.