Boko Haram: 'We Have Won The Battle, But Not The War,' Says Governor Kashim Shettima.

WAR ON TERROR IN NIGERIA:

* Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State.

When Alex Preston, of the British GQ Magazine arrived Maiduguri, following the January 26th fatal attacks on a church, which left 60 dead and several other injured, he was not expecting the to see a city determined to wake up to the challenge of brutal and unprovoked attacks, from a outlawed group that has been interntionally recognised as a terrorist group.

For many years Boko Haram has constituted itself into a major headache for the West African country Nigeria, where they have attacked villages, killing Christians and Muslim alike and demanding the islamisation of Northern Nigeria.

Two days before Preson's arrival, soldiers had swooped on a secret stronghold of Boko Haram, and in a hail of bullets killed 95 suspected members of the group and arrested others.

It has been four years since Boko Haram was started their evil mission and even civil rights groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch are keeping a watchful eye of a city that has increasingly been in the news for the wrong reasons.

Alex Preston said the civil rights group described "northern Nigeria as a warzone, with the terrorists and the army locked in an intractable battle, heaping atrocity upon atrocity, blood soaking into the desert sands".

The following images show some of the current sights of the fallout of the incessant terrorist attacks on Nigeria Nort East.

* And the army steps up the fight back and takes the war to the border-sides.

* Vigilante Groups Take up battle against Boko Haram - with only cudgels and machetes.

* But Police is not just allowing the Vigilante groups a free reign and are arresting them.


Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State is optimistic that the activities of Boko Haram will soon be a thing of the past, reporteely saying 'We have won the battle, but not the war'.

Recently Susan Rice, US National Security Advisor supports urgent steps being taken to control Boko Haram, but insists that human rights should be respected in the process.

* Twitter: @bensonagoha.

* Twitter: @woolwichonline.

<>-----------------------------------------<>

* Photos Credit: GQ/AlexPreston/Sunday Alamba.

* Do you have a Story, News, Photos or Views to share?

* Except otherwise instructed, to protect identity, Woolwich Online retains the right to substitute name of authors.

* Articles for publication must have full contact details, including name, address and telephone number of sender and sent by email to: onlinewoolwich@yahoo.co.uk.

<>-----------------------------------------<>