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Friday, 19 December 2014

54 soldiers sentenced to death for mutiny

Just as quickly as Islamist extremists rose out of the desert scrub several months ago, however, they recently disappeared as Nigeria's military regained control of this area as part of a new offensive. (Jon Gambrell, AP)



Soldiers have also carried out similar demonstrations, including one group that set up a protest camp on the outskirts of Maiduguri.

The men sentenced to death on Wednesday were part of the special forces division ordered in August to retake three lost towns in restive Borno state, of which Maiduguri is the capital.

Defence officials insist that troops are properly equipped, but President Goodluck Jonathan earlier this year sought permission from lawmakers to secure a $1 billion foreign loan to upgrade the military.

The request was seen as a tacit acknowledgement from Jonathan that Nigeria's soldiers were being out-matched.

Boko Haram, blamed for more than 13,000 deaths since 2009, is believed to control more than two dozen towns and villages in the northeast.

While the military has claimed a series of victories in recent weeks, large swathes of territory remain in rebel hands.

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