The Nigerian army, with the help of local hunters and civilian vigilantes, has recaptured Mubi and Maiha, two towns in Adamawa state that had been overrun by Boko Haram insurgents, the state governor and residents said.
A report monitored on BBC Hausa service also moted the leader of Boko Haram, Amir was arrested during the retake of Mubi.
An eyewitness who spoke to BBC said Amir, a light skinned man with beard, was bundled and tied with a rope and taken to an unknown destination, while his disciples fled.
“Amir was not talking, he looked sad and angry,” said the witness.
Adamawa State Governor Bala Ngilari told journalists that an alliance which including local hunters and vigilante groups known as the Civilian Joint Task Force and the army eased the militants out in a surprise night time attack.
Residents marched from street to street as they jubilated the recapture of their town.
Boko Haram took control of Mubi in Adamawa State on Oct. 28, killing dozens of people, burning houses and forcing thousands to flee, while Maiha, some 30 km to the south, was seized on 10th Novemeber.
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