Chad troops kill over 200 Boko Haram

(ANSA) - Rome, February 4 - Chad's army said Wednesday it killed more than Boko Harama 200 militant Islamists and lost nine men during a battle to recapture a key town in north-eastern Nigeria. Boko Haram militants killed about 30 people after fleeing from the battle to Cameroon, a resident said. It was the most intense battle known to involve Chadian troops since they entered the conflict in Nigeria. Chad and Nigeria are also bombing the vast Sambisa forest, where the militants have bases. Boko Haram fighters were suspected to have taken to the forest more than 200 schoolgirls it abducted in April from the north-eastern Nigerian town of Chibok.
    It is unclear if the girls are still there.