2015 West African offensive

Coalition offensive against Boko Haram September 2026 September 2026 2015 West African offensive the Boko Haram insurgency Wilayat al Sudan al Gharbi maximum territorial control.png 300px Boko Haram's territorial control prior to the offensive. 23 January – 24 December 2015(01 23 2015 12 24 2015) Northeast Nigeria, Northern Cameroon, Southeast Niger, Western Chadhttps://www.csmonitor.com/World/Security-Watch/terrorism-security/2015/0213/Boko-Haram-escalates-battle-with-bold-move-into-Chad Boko Haram escalates battle with bold move into Chad (+video) The Christian Science Monitor The Christian Science Monitor 2016-02-20 Multinational Joint Task Force victory Multinational Joint Task Force Nigeria CameroonFaced with Boko Haram, Cameroon weighs death penalty for terrorism. By Tansa Musa, Reuters. YAOUNDE Wed Dec 3, 2014 9:56am EST. ChadChad armoured column heads for Cameroon to fight Boko Haram. AFP for Yahoo! News, January 16, 2015 4:54 PM. NigerWest Africa leaders vow to wage 'total war' on Boko Haram By John Irish and Elizabeth Pineau. 17 May 2014 2:19 PM. Local militiashttps://www.voanews.com/a/vigilantes-settle-local-scores-with-boko-haram/2644375.html Vigilantes Settle Local Scores With Boko Haram Voice of America 15 February 2015 15 February 2015 STTEP (foreign mercenaries)https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/nigeria/11596210/South-African-mercenaries-secret-war-on-Boko-Haram.html South African mercenaries' secret war on Boko Haram Colin Freeman The Daily Telegraph 10 May 2015 17 March 2018https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/13/world/africa/nigerias-fight-against-boko-haram-gets-help-from-south-african-mercenaries.html Mercenaries Join Nigeria's Military Campaign Against Boko Haram Adama Nossiter The New York Times 12 March 2015 16 March 2015 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Boko Haram (until March 2015) Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant ISIL Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Wilayat Gharb Afriqiya (from March 2015)https://www.foxnews.com/world/boko-haram-swears-formal-allegiance-to-isis/ Boko Haram swears formal allegiance to ISIS Associated Press Fox News March 8, 2015 January 8, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20151120113635/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/03/08/boko-haram-swears-formal-allegiance-to-isis/ November 20, 2015 live mdy-all Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari (from May 2015) Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan (until May 2015) Nigeria Kashim Shettima Nigeria Isa Yuguda (until May 2015) Nigeria Lamidi Adeosun Nigeria Eeben Barlow Cameroon Paul Biya Chad Idriss Déby Niger Mahamadou Issoufou Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Abubakar ShekauIslamic State of Iraq and the Levant Abu Musab al-Barnawi Nigerian Army: 130,000 active frontline personnel 32,000 active reserve personnel Nigeria Police Force: 371,800 officers Multinational Joint Task Force: 7,500 active personnelThe African Union Readies an Army to Fight Boko Haram, Medium.com.(excluding Cameroon and Nigeria) Cameroonian Armed Forces: 20,000 active personnel United States: 300 advisershttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/14/obama-deployment-us-troops-cameroon-boko-haram Obama to deploy 300 US troops to Cameroon to fight Boko Haram | World news The Guardian 14 October 2015 25 October 2015 Agence France-Pressehttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/10/usa-troops-deployed-cameroon-boko-haram-fight-151014212428195.html US troops deployed to Cameroon for Boko Haram fight Al Jazeera English 2015-10-14 25 October 2015 ISIL: 7,000–10,000https://medium.com/war-is-boring/how-big-is-boko-haram-fac21c25807 How Big Is Boko Haram? 2 February 2015 2 February 2015 Starting in late January 2015, a coalition of West African troops launched an offensive against the Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria. Background Boko Haram insurgency Timeline of Boko Haram insurgency The insurgent group Boko Haram was founded by the Muslim cleric Mohammed Yusuf in 2002. Initially, Yusuf rejected Western-style education in Nigeria. Professor Paul Lubeck who studies on African Muslim societies claims Yusuf viewed Western-style education should be "mediated through Islamic scholarship". Boko Haram remained peaceful before 2009; Yusuf criticised the northern Muslims for participating in what he considered a non-Islamic and illegitimate state.http://www.cfr.org/africa/boko-haram/p25739 Boko Haram Council on Foreign Relations 2011-12-27 2020-11-09 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20130525090330/http://www.cfr.org/africa/boko-haram/p25739 2013-05-25 Due to police brutalityhttps://www.hrw.org/video-photos/interactive/2010/08/17/police-corruption-nigeria Police Corruption in Nigeria Human Rights Watch 2010-08-17 2020-11-09 and the years-ongoing inter-religious violence between Christians and Muslimshttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2010/01/201012314018187505.html Timeline: Tensions in Nigeria al-Jazeera 2010-12-26 2020-11-09 the group radicalised itself with ideas to overthrew the Nigerian government and establish an Islamic state with the sharia as law.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nigeria-sect-idUSTRE80N1GX20120124 Nigeria's Boko Haram Killed 935 People Since 2009 Reuters 2012-01-24 2020-11-09 On 26 July 2009 Boko Haram launched an armed uprising in the Bauchi state under leading Yusuf's command.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8169966.stm Nigerian Islamist Attacks Spread BBC News 2009-07-27 2020-11-09 It later spread into the Yobe, Kano and Borno states. They attacked a police station in Maiduguri. After a five-day uprising, the police and the Nigerian Army crushed and suppressed the group. The incident killed between at least 700https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/08/world/africa/abduction-of-girls-an-act-not-even-al-qaeda-can-condone.html?_r=0 Abduction of Girls an Act Not Even Al Qaeda Can Condone The New York Times 2014-05-07 2020-11-09 and 800 people;https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news/2011/07/18/understanding-nigeria-s-boko-haram-radicals Understanding Nigeria's Boko Haram Radicals The New Humanitarian 2011-07-18 2020-11-09 Soon after the uprising, a crackdown by the Nigerian Army followed; Yusuf and some of his men were arrested on the 30th after soldiers stormed into their school and mosque.https://www.france24.com/en/20120111-terror-chief-boko-haram-imam-shekau-youtube-nigeria-goodluck-jonathan-al-qaeda-oil The Boko Haram Terror Chief Who Came Back from the Dead France 24 2012-01-11 2020-11-11 They were later executed on television. This was criticised by human rights' organisations and described as an extrajudicial execution.https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/report/85537/nigeria-innocents-%E2%80%9Cindiscriminately-shot-and-killed%E2%80%9D-rights-groups-say Innocents "Indiscriminately Shot and Killed", Rights Groups Say The New Humanitarian 2009-07-31 2020-11-09 One of his men, his successor and deputy Abubakar Shekau, was believed to be dead after he was shot in the 2009 uprising. In a July 2010, however, he appeared in a videotaped interview where he confirmed he was alive and claimed to be the leader of Boko Haram. Throughout the early 2010s, Boko Haram had steadily gained influence and launched increasingly deadly campaigns. The group began to seize territory aggressively in late 2014, declaring northeast Nigeria to be a caliphate under their control. By the end of 2014, Boko Haram controlled an area roughly the size of Belgium. In 2014, the group killed an estimated 10,000 people, mostly in northeast Nigeria. Through April, Boko Haram forces killed around 2,000 people in 2015. More than 1.5 million people were displaced by Boko Haram activities.Nigerian army frees hundreds more women and girls from Boko Haram The Guardian May 1, 2015 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/02/nigerian-women-girls-boko-haram-rebel May 2, 2015 In addition to killing raids, the group has regularly organized mass kidnappings. In April 2014, the group drew international attention by kidnapping 276 schoolgirls in Chibok. In total, the group seized around 2,000 women and girls in 2014. Boko Haram has been called one of the world's deadliest terrorist groups. The offensive On 23 January 2015, it was disclosed that Nigerian troops were in final preparations for a major offensive against Boko Haram insurgents in North Eastern Nigeria. According to leaked security information, the final straw that prompted action was a Boko Haram video claiming that it had stockpiled "enough weapons to take on Nigeria and its neighbours".Military set for final onslaught on terrorists Wale Odunsi January 23, 2015 http://dailypost.ng/2015/01/23/military-set-final-onslaught-terrorists/ Lagos, Nigeria April 30, 2015 Daily Post The video also prompted Cameroon, Chad, and Niger to acknowledge the threat of growing Boko Haram power and pledge military support for the operation. The goal of the campaign was to eliminate "safe havens and escape routes of terrorists in or out of Nigeria" and provide "once and for all comprehensive operations" to eliminate the Boko Haram threat. Originally, the operation was expected to be complete before the planned February 14 elections. A few days later, operations commenced. On 4 February after days of airstrikes, Chadian forces entered Boko Haram held Gamboru, Nigeria. An estimated 200 Boko Haram insurgents were killed in the offensive. Chadian losses were 9 killed and 21 wounded. Commander Ahmat Dari remarked "We have routed this band of terrorists" and vowed to "hunt them down everywhere." Boko Haram responded the next day by raiding nearby Fotokol, Cameroon. The fighting left 81 civilians, 13 Chadian soldiers, and 6 Cameroonian soldiers dead.Chadian jets bomb Nigerian town in anti-Boko Haram raid News24 May 2, 2015 February 5, 2015 http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Chad-troops-killed-in-Boko-Haram-counter-attack-20150205 July 6, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150706174541/http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Chad-troops-killed-in-Boko-Haram-counter-attack-20150205 dead However, eyewitness also reported Boko Haram took heavy casualties leaving dead insurgents "everywhere". Boko Haram reportedly burned the town's mosque and indiscriminately slit civilians' throats.Boko Haram goes on deadly rampage after Chad offensive Al Jazeera February 4, 2015 AFP http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/2/4/boko-haram-launches-deadly-rampage-after-chad-offensive.html May 1, 2015 thumb|left|Civilian Joint Task Force militiamen in southeastern Borno State, February 2015 By 6 February, Chadian and Nigerian warplanes and ground troops had forced Boko Haram forces to abandon about a dozen towns and villages. The French military also aided in the offensive by providing reconnaissance flights. In response, Boko Haram attacked two villages in Nigeria and another in Cameroon, killing more than 100 civilians. In a battle on 6 February, an estimated 100 insurgents, several military personnel, and one civilian were killed. On 7 February, Nigeria announced that the elections would be postponed for six weeks, citing unsafe voting conditions in the northeast. A small protest was held in response to the announcement with police preventing protesters from entering the electoral commission headquarters.Nigeria postpones elections, focuses on major offensive against Boko Haram AP The Christian Science Monitor February 7, 2015 April 30, 2015 https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Latest-News-Wires/2015/0207/Nigeria-postpones-elections-focuses-on-major-offensive-against-Boko-Haram-video An agreement to provide 7,500 African Union Troops from Chad, Cameroon, Benin and Niger for the operation was tentatively reached on 7 February. On 17 February, the Nigerian military retook Monguno in a coordinated air and ground assault. African allies claim gains against Boko Haram BBC News May 2, 2015 February 17, 2015 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-31493150 Also on 17 February, Chadian forces began an attack on the Kala/Balge district of Nigeria aimed at capturing the strategic town of Dikwa. Boko Haram suffered heavy casualties and Dikwa fell by February 24. As troops approached the Sambisa Forest, Boko Haram launched a series of retaliatory raids. Gunmen shot and stabbed civilians and burned homes, apparently targeting Shuwa tribesmen – the same ethnicity of most Chadian soldiers.Boko Haram raid villages after Chadian offensive: residents AFP The Daily Star February 27, 2015 May 1, 2015 http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/World/2015/Feb-27/289053-boko-haram-raid-villages-after-chadian-offensive-residents.ashx During the week of 15 February, more than 300 Boko Haram fighters were killed by Nigerian forces as eleven more towns were recaptured. Various weapon stockpiles were seized or destroyed, and additional insurgents were arrested. Two Nigerian soldiers were killed in the fighting and ten others injured. Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau promised to disrupt the elections, then scheduled for March 28, in retaliation. Separately, an apparently errant bombing mission killed 37 mourners attending a funeral in Abadam, Niger.Troops Kill 300 Boko Haram Militants In Counter Offensive Abdullahi Umar http://leadership.ng/news/412556/troops-kill-300-boko-haram-militants-in-counter-offensive February 19, 2015 May 1, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150429085426/http://leadership.ng/news/412556/troops-kill-300-boko-haram-militants-in-counter-offensive 2015-04-29 dead Leadership On 28 February, a large rally was held in the Cameroonian capital of Yaounde in support of the Central African forces fighting Boko Haram. An estimated 5,000 people marched through the street of the capital.Thousands march in support of army offensive against Boko Haram in Cameroon http://www.themalaymailonline.com/world/article/thousands-march-in-support-of-army-offensive-against-boko-haram-in-cameroon February 28, 2015 May 1, 2015 Reuters Malay Mail thumb|left|Niger Army soldiers with a killed Boko Haram fighter in Diffa, March 2015 On 6 March, the African Union officially endorsed sending 8,000 troops to help secure the Nigerian border, but declined to allow the troops to enter Nigeria. As Boko Haram continued to lose territory, the group pledged allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant on 7 March. Nigerian army spokesperson Sami Usman Kukasheka said the pledge was a sign of weakness and that Shekau was like a "drowning man".Boko Haram conflict: Nigerian allies launch offensive March 8, 2015 BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-31789412 May 1, 2015 That same day, Boko Haram launched an attack against Maiduguri, a former stronghold of the group. The attack, which including suicide bombings, left more than 50 people dead. A fresh offensive against Boko Haram by a coalition of Chadian, Cameroonian, and Nigerian forces began on March 8 after a series of air strikes the previous two days. On March 16, the Nigerian army recaptured Bama.Nigeria military says Bama city recaptured from Boko Haram Julia Payne March 16, 2015 Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nigeria-violence-idUSKBN0MC24I20150316 May 2, 2015 On 24 March 2015, residents of Damasak, Nigeria said that Boko Haram had taken more than 400 women and children from the town as they fled from coalition forces earlier in the month.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-violence-nigeria-kidnapping-idUSKBN0MK22Y20150324 Boko Haram kidnapped hundreds in northern Nigeria town: residents Reuters March 24, 2015 May 2, 2015 Joe Penney On 27 March, the Nigerian army captured Gwoza, which was believed to be the location of Boko Haram headquarters. According to the army, the victory meant that "virtually all" of Boko Haram's territory had been recaptured a day before the elections. Ahead of the attack, Boko Haram reportedly executed all of the town's citizens unable or unwilling to help defend it against the military's advance. BBC analyst Tomi Oladipo called the victory a major milestone for Nigeria. Boko Haram had held the town since August 2014 when Nigerian troops abandoned the city. The victory came days after Chad President Idriss Deby criticized Nigerian forces for not pulling their weight in the fight against Boko Haram.Boko Haram HQ Gwoza in Nigeria 'retaken' March 27, 2015 BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-32087211 May 1, 2015 On election day, Boko Haram militants killed 41 people, including a legislator, in an effort to disrupt voting.https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/article/boko-haram-kills-41-as-millions-of-nigerians-vote-in-close-presidential-election/ Boko Haram kills 41 as millions of Nigerians vote in close presidential election Associated Press March 28, 2015 May 2, 2015 Michelle Faul Haruna Umar After Muhammadu Buhari defeated incumbent president Goodluck Jonathan in the election, the fight against Boko Haram continued. (Jonathan remained in power until 29 May.) On 8 April, a summit of Central and West African leaders was held with the aim of fine tuning strategy in order to "eradicate" the insurgency group. Ahead of the summit, a Chadian army spokesperson called Boko Haram's capacity to cause problems severely reduced. However, Nigeria said the group continued to wage an "asymmetric war" through the use of suicide bombers and guerilla tactics. The United Nations' Human Rights Council unanimously adopted a resolution calling for greater international support of the counter-insurgency campaign.African leaders to hold Boko Haram summit April 8 Cecile De Comarmond AFP Rappler April 5, 2015 https://www.rappler.com/world/africa/89015-african-leaders-boko-haram-summit/ May 1, 2015 Hostage rescues thumb|left|Map of Boko Haram's territorial control by April 2015, over 2 months after the start of the offensive On 22 April, the Nigerian military began to push into the Sambisa Forest, a dense forest covering 23,000 square miles. The area is considered very difficult to navigate by people unfamiliar with the terrain and had long been considered the launching point of many Boko Haram attacks and likely hiding point of villagers taken hostage. It was considered the last stronghold of Boko Haram.Nigerian troops rescue more Boko Haram captives from forest redoubt Paula Rogo Christian Science Monitor April 30, 2015 https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2015/0430/Nigerian-troops-rescue-more-Boko-Haram-captives-from-forest-redoubt-video May 2, 2015 A government spokesman said a top Boko Haram commander was killed in the initial push. Frank Charnas, a political analyst familiar with the region, said the move signaled the end of Boko Haram as a military force. "They really are fighting what appears to be their last battle", he added. "It does represent quite a significant step on behalf of the Nigerian military because up until now they have not gone into the Sambisa Forest and have also been pretty poor at taking the offensive to Boko."Nigerian Military Enter 'Final Stages' of Boko Haram Offensive Jack Moore April 23, 2015 Newsweek http://europe.newsweek.com/nigerian-military-enter-final-stages-boko-haram-offensive-324384 May 2, 2015 The Nigerian military had to retreat after encountering landmines and booby traps that killed three vigilantes working with the military, but continued its push after regrouping.Nigeria military says still in Boko Haram stronghold despite mines April 23, 2015 Ardo Abdallaha Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nigeria-violence-idUSKBN0NE16320150423 May 2, 2015 On 25 April, Boko Haram launched a counterattack on an island in Lake Chad. Forty-six Nigerian soldiers and 28 civilians were killed in the attack. After the attack, Niger recommended that the island of Lake Chad be evacuated. By early May, more than 5,000 people had left the island towns and reached N'guigmi, Niger by foot. An additional 11,500 evacuees were expected.Niger evacuates thousands from Lake Chad after Boko Haram attacks AFP The Times May 5, 2015 http://www.timeslive.co.za/africa/2015/05/05/niger-evacuates-thousands-from-lake-chad-after-boko-haram-attacks May 5, 2015 A fresh push into Sambisa Forest by Nigerian forces began on 27 April. As the Nigerian army advanced into the forest, it began to free a large number of women and children held as hostages by Boko Haram. On April 28, just under 300 hostages were freed. It is unclear if the freed prisoners were captured in Boko Haram raids or if they were area residents. A battle on April 29 killed over 400 Boko Haram insurgents, while freeing an undisclosed number of female captives. One soldier was killed and four seriously injured in the battle. One woman was killed and eight injured.Sambisa: Over 400 Boko Haram fighters killed in renewed onslaught, more women rescued April 30, 2015 Maina Maina http://dailypost.ng/2015/04/30/sambisa-over-400-boko-haram-fighters-killed-in-renewed-onslaught-more-women-rescued/ Lagos, Nigeria May 2, 2015 Daily Post On 30 April, another 234 women and children were freed from Boko Haram captivity as the military destroyed 13 Boko Haram camps.Boko Haram: Nigerian army 'frees another 234 women and children' May 2, 2015 BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-32561052 May 2, 2015 In total, close to 700 hostages had been rescued. thumb|right|Hostages rescued during the offensive Freed captives had been subjected to forced labor, as well as sexual and physical abuse. Some were forced to fight alongside Boko Haram rebels or were used as human shields. According to initial reports, some of the captives were traumatized to the point where they fired upon their rescuers, believing the militants were "good people who had treated them well". Others painted a different picture, saying their captors kept them indoors, brought out only when needed to retrieve food. They were severely beaten and given only minimal food – rescued children were described as visibly malnourished by the press. Other children had forgotten their own names. Amnesty International African director Netsanet Belay remarked "The trauma suffered by the women and girls is truly horrific."Traumatized by Boko Haram, kidnapped girls fire on rescuers Sarah Kaplan April 30, 2015 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/04/30/traumatized-by-boko-haram-kidnapped-girls-fire-on-rescuers/ May 2, 2015 Washington Post An aid worker described the captives as "not in great condition ...All of them are traumatized. They're hungry. They're sick."Boko Haram: 214 girls freed from terror group 'visibly pregnant' say UN news.com.au https://www.news.com.au/world/boko-haram-214-girls-freed-from-terror-group-visibly-pregnant-say-un/news-story/0447d7ea2877d3a19f1485e5730464c7 May 5, 2015 May 5, 2015 June 23, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150623201413/http://www.news.com.au/world/boko-haram-214-girls-freed-from-terror-group-visibly-pregnant-say-un/story-fndir2ev-1227335792317 live Of the first 275 captives, only 61 were over the age of 18; 214 were visibly pregnant. None of them knew the location of the Chibok girls, but said militants who visited their camp had claimed the girls were sold or forced into polygamous marriages with militants. According to freed hostages, Boko Haram was running short of weapons as a result of the multinational offensive. Frustrated by the lack of support from their leadership, militants were abandoning the hostages with minimal fight, or attempting to sell them for 2,000 naira (US$10) or less. One hostage reported overhearing militants talking about how their leaders had deceived them into using violence.Nigeria's Boko Haram in disarray as government forces advance Julia Payne Reuters http://in.reuters.com/article/nigeria-boko-haram-idINKBN0NP1R720150504 https://web.archive.org/web/20151225185533/http://in.reuters.com/article/nigeria-boko-haram-idINKBN0NP1R720150504 dead December 25, 2015 May 4, 2015 May 4, 2015 Isaac Abrak Philippa Fletcher Further efforts Efforts to press into the Sambisa Forest were slowed, as the military encountered landmines and booby traps. Boko Haram pushed back, launching suicide attacks on civilians and attempting to capture the Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri. The attack was repelled, but about 30 civilians were killed in the crossfire, bringing the number of civilians killed in the counter-attack to 60.Nigerian military claims destruction of 10 Boko Haram camps AP May 18, 2015 http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/05/18/nigerian-military-claims-destruction-10-boko-haram-camps-in-northeastern-forest/ May 18, 2015 Fox News https://web.archive.org/web/20150924191258/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/05/18/nigerian-military-claims-destruction-10-boko-haram-camps-in-northeastern-forest/ 2015-09-24 dead On May 15, Boko Haram forces recaptured the border town of Marte, demonstrating that efforts to contain the militant group to the forest were not completely successful. Deputy governor of Borno State, Zannah Umar Mustapha, said militants has returned to various previously cleared towns to resume the fighting.Nigeria: Militants Retake Border Town AP May 15, 2015 The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/16/world/africa/nigeria-militants-retake-border-town.html May 18, 2015 The following day, the Nigerian military destroyed ten Boko Haram camps in the Sambisa Forest. One soldier and an unspecified number of militants were killed in the raids. In September 2015, the Director of Information at the Defence Headquarters of Nigeria announced that all Boko Haram camps had been destroyed.http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/189748-boko-haram-camps-wiped-out-nigerian-military.html Boko Haram camps 'wiped out' – Nigerian military Nnenna Ibeh 9 September 2015 10 September 2015 Premium Times Rescues were still ongoing as of October 2015.Nigeria: Army Frees Women and Child Hostages of Boko Haram. By Bashir adigun, Associated Press ABUJA, Nigeria — Sep 15, 2015, 8:01 PM ET. On 28 October 2015, it was announced that Nigerian troops had rescued 338 people from Boko Haram near the group's Sambisa forest stronghold, in the northeast of Nigeria. Of those rescued, 192 were children and 138 were women.Boko Haram: Nigerian army rescues 338 captives On 24 December 2015, Muhammadu Buhari, the President of Nigeria, claimed that Boko Haram was "technically defeated."Nigeria Boko Haram: Militants 'technically defeated' - Buhari https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-35173618 24 December 2015 BBC News 24 December 2015 See also Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Boko Haram References 30em External links Mike Corones May 5, 2015 http://blogs.reuters.com/data-dive/2015/05/05/mapping-boko-harams-decline-in-nigeria/ https://web.archive.org/web/20150506061917/http://blogs.reuters.com/data-dive/2015/05/05/mapping-boko-harams-decline-in-nigeria/ dead May 6, 2015 Mapping Boko Haram's decline in Nigeria Reuters Category:2015 in Nigeria Category:2015 conflicts Category:Boko Haram insurgency Category:Counterinsurgency operations Category:Military operations involving Cameroon Category:Military operations involving Chad Category:Military operations involving Niger Category:Military campaigns involving Nigeria Category:Presidency of Goodluck Jonathan Category:Presidency of Muhammadu Buhari