By Rafiu Ajakaye
LAGOS
Nigeria announced early Wednesday that troops have recaptured towns seized by Boko Haram militants in the past weeks, especially in the northeastern Adamawa State.
"Our troops are in full control of Gombi, Pelia and Hong as operations to clear all areas infested by terrorists continue," defense headquarters said in a tweet.
"Many terrorists are being captured as some die," it added, without giving exact figures.
The military said weapons and equipment had been recovered and that troops were mopping up the areas.
In recent months, Boko Haram has captured numerous towns and villages in Nigeria's northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, declaring them part of an "Islamic caliphate."
The military's announcement comes as the parliament debates a request by President Goodluck Jonathan to extend the emergency rule in three northeastern states, including Adamawa, where Boko Haram activities have continued unabated.
A close-door session of the Senate ended in a stalemate after opposition legislators opposed the extension on the ground that it hasn't changed anything since first being put in place in May of last year.
The upper chamber has shifted the debate to Wednesday.
The House of Representatives, which had earlier adjourned to December, is to reconvene on Thursday to consider the emergency extension request.
The constitution empowers the president to declare a state of emergency and - where necessary - deploy troops in restive areas.
But such declaration is subject to approval by at least two-thirds majority of the legislature.
Boko Haram, which first emerged in the early 2000s preaching against government misrule and corruption, later became violent after the killing of its leader in 2009 while in police custody.
In the five years since, the group has been blamed for numerous attacks and thousands of deaths.
Along with Nigeria, Turkey and the US have both designated Boko Haram a terrorist organization.
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