Nigeria Boko Haram gunmen 'tracked and killed'

About 50 Islamist militants have been killed
in north-eastern Nigeria after the military
raided Boko Haram camps, army
spokesman Sagir Musa has said.
Troops tracked gunmen who attacked two
towns on Wednesday and Thursday, reportedly
killing 20 people.
Boko Haram, which wants to create an Islamic
state across Nigeria, has waged a deadly
insurgency since 2009.
In May, Nigeria declared an emergency in
three north-eastern states in order to battle
the militants.
'Invaded from nowhere'
"Troops pursued the terrorists to their camps
and destroyed them with air support," Lt-Col
Musa said on Friday in Maiduguri - the state
capital of Borno state where Boko Haram was
founded.
The operation began on Wednesday after
gunmen attacked Gajiram, about 75km (46
miles) north of Maiduguri, when it was
crowded with traders for market day.
Buildings were burnt and 15 people died in the
market, said residents who fled to Maiduguri.
"Many traders and pupils in the school,
including a few council workers at the
secretariat complex, took to their heels for
safety... We were shocked and terrified," a
Gajiram resident told Nigeria's Guardian
newspaper.
A further five people were killed by gunmen
early on Thursday in Bulabilin Ngaura, a small
town about 35km south-east of Maiduguri.
"They invaded the village from nowhere. They
just opened fire… they killed only five people
going to mosque for prayers," a Bulabilin
Ngaura resident told Nigeria's Leadership
paper.
Boko Haram has not commented on the camp
raids or town attacks.
Last month, the army said it had killed Boko
Haram's leader Abubakar Shekau but this has
not been confirmed and the militants' attacks
have continued.
Since the state of emergency was declared, the
military has encouraged the formation of
vigilante groups to help tackle the Islamists.
In recent weeks, these vigilantes have been the
target of attacks.
Observers says it appears Boko Haram is
taking revenge against such groups, adding
weight to fears that the vigilante groups may
trigger an escalation of the violence.