Boko Haram Insurgency: Chad Army Captures Nigerian Town From Militants

Chad's army has driven Boko Haram militants out of Malumfatori town in north-eastern Nigeria, a senior official from Niger has told the BBC. The reported capture of the town, which lies near the borders of Chad and Niger, follows two days of fighting. Both ground and air forces are reported to have been used in the assault.

Niger officials said Chadian ground forces moved into the town after crossing Lake Chad. It is not known if the operation was approved by Nigeria.

Boko Haram insurgents have carried out a number of cross-border attacks on Nigeria's neighbours in recent months, attacking villages and military bases. The Islamist group has seized dozens of people and taken them back to north-east Nigeria, where it controls a swathe of territory.
Action plan

The Nigerian authorities say they are doing all they can to tackle the militants but neighbours, including Niger and Cameroon, have said more must be done. Chad has already sent troops to Cameroon to help it counter Boko Haram incursions and last week Nigeria said the Chadian army would be fighting on its territory.

However, it was not immediately clear if the authorities in Abuja had prior knowledge of, or any role in, the operation in Malumfatori. People who fled the area told the BBC they had seen military planes bombing the town, which is on the shores of Lake Chad.