Nigerian Conflict Update: Army Forces Militants to Flee Maiduguri

Members of Boko Haram, an extremist Nigerian Islamist group, have fled the city of Maiduguri after the military stormed the area they had occupied. The military achieved this victory after 1,000 extra soldiers were drafted, according to a bbc report.

This swell in military ranks seems to have made all the difference, in view of earlier reports from local authorities that the extremists had taken control of six districts in Maiduguri.

Boko Haram claims to be fighting against Western education and a secular government, and wants Taliban-style government in Nigeria. Sharia law is already in place in northern Nigeria, where Maiduguri is. Clashes between police and militants  have resulted in over 200 dead in the last 4 days. The conflict began when about 1,000 armed militants beseiged police stations and government buildings in Maiduguri.

The police freed about 100 women and children being held captive by the extremists. They reported that they had been held for 6 days with only dates and water to sustain themselves. Many of them were wives of Boko Haram followers.

The extremist sect has also been reported to have set Christian churches on fire.