Lagos : Local hunters and vigilantes have retaken the important northeastern Nigerian town of Mubi which had been under the control of the Boko Haram radical Islamist group for two weeks, media reported Friday.
Another group of local hunters managed two days ago to free the city of Maiha, 15 miles from Mubi.
Although the takeover of Mubi has not been confirmed by the Nigerian army, Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Minimah told parliament that all territories seized by the insurgents would be freed.
Adamawa state Governor Bala Ngilari told The Punch newspaper that it was a good time to rejoice in the success of the fight against Boko Haram and expressed his government’s gratitude to all those who risked their lives to face the insurgents.
Militants from the Islamic radical sect attacked Mubi, the second most populous city of Adamawa state, Oct 29 and clashed with Nigerian soldiers.
Mubi resident Abdulrazak Aide told the Premium Times newspaper that a group of vigilantes stormed the city Wednesday and killed many insurgents.
A state of emergency has been in force in the northern Nigerian states of Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe since May due to the large number of attacks carried out by the Boko Haram.
More than 3,000 civilians have been killed in violence involving Boko Haram since the beginning of 2014, according to the Nigerian government.