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       Nigerian Military Says It Captured Dozens of Boko Haram Militants

   by Heather Murdock

   Less than five days after the Nigerian armed forces began a massive
   attack on militants in the north, Nigeria's Department of Defense says
   65 suspected Boko Haram militants have been arrested and ten have been
   killed.

   The Nigerian military says Boko Haram militants are fleeing their
   camps.  Some are in search of fuel while others are running from the
   armed forces that are attacking the camps.

   This comes after Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan Tuesday declared
   a state of emergency in three northern states because of escalating
   Boko Haram violence. Since the insurgency began in 2009, Boko Haram,
   which says it shares resources and training with al-Qaida, has been
   blamed for thousands of deaths.

   In a statement released Saturday, Defense Department spokesperson,
   Chris Olukolade said the armed forces continue to battle Boko Haram and
   they will "fish out" suspected members in hiding.

   Some analysts fear the military offensive could further escalate the
   violence, saying Nigerian security forces alienate the public by
   killing suspects rather than arresting them, and detaining people
   without charges.

   Babagana, is an accountant in Maiduguri, the original home of Boko
   Haram and the heart of the insurgency. He says residents have mixed
   feelings about the sudden influx of armed forces.

   "If they can discharge their duties professionally to ensure that peace
   is restored in [the north-eastern state of] Borno and the nation at
   large, it's a welcome development. But the problem is when they are
   attacked or one of them is killed or whatever they will just start
   harassing innocent people, maiming, killing, burning and in the process
   they will kill a lot of innocent ones; meanwhile the culprit will
   escape them. So that is the problem."

   Phone and internet service in the northeast have been intermittent
   since the offensive began and many places are locked down, with
   authorities Saturday imposing an indefinite 24-hour curfew in more than
   10 local areas.

   In Maiduguri the military has blocked off roads heading north and
   commercial trucks wait idly at the blockades.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/nigeria-military-boko-haram/1663714.h
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/nigeria-military-boko-haram/1663714.html