The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed that the military has taken over Bama town in Borno State from the Islamist sect, Boko Haram.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, the co-ordinator of the National Information Centre, Mr Mike Omeri, said that the military had intensified counter-terrorism operations in towns where the insurgents were challenging the military.

Mr Omeri also urged Nigerians to desist from buying pre-registered SIM cards as well as used phones, which he said could pose security challenges to the nation.

Reuters News Agency on Monday quoted a senior military official as saying that the flashpoint town of Bama in north-east Borno State had been recaptured from the Boko Haram sect.

It also reported that the Nigerian military blocked the Islamist militants’ advance towards the state capital, Maiduguri.

According to Reuters, the government source, who asked not to be named, said that the Boko Haram fighters had been driven from Bama, 70 km south-east of Maiduguri.
The source also said that Government warplanes have bombed and strafed the militants after they stormed Bama last week.