Lagos, Sep 25 (IANS): The Nigerian army on Friday said it has recaptured the strategic town of Banki from Boko Haram militants.
Army spokesperson Sani Usman said that several militants were killed and several others captured alive, Xinhua news agency reported.
Seven militant camps were destroyed and over a dozen improvised explosive devices found in and near the town were detonated in controlled explosions, he added.
Nigeria's air force and Cameroonian troops supported the operation.
Banki, located in Borno state where Boko Haram has a major stronghold, is a regional trading centre for people from Nigeria, Cameroon and Central African countries.
Boko Haram, whose name means "Western education is forbidden", has killed over 13,000 people and abducted hundreds since it started operations in 2009.