Boko Haram retakes NE town from Nigerian army

File picture shows a Nigerian military patrol near the border town of Marte where an attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents has forced hundreds of soldiers to flee (AFP Photo/)

Maiduguri (Nigeria) - Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have forced hundreds of soldiers to flee Marte, a border town along the shores of Lake Chad, a local official and witnesses said.

"The terrorists, numbering over 2,000, appeared from various directions on Thursday and engaged the soldiers in Kirenowa town and adjoining communities in Marte," said Imamu Habeeb, a local community leader.