Is Maiduguri (Borno Capital) the next city to fall to Boko Haram?

Hundreds of civilians are fleeing Nigeria's northeastern city of Maiduguri as fears grow that Islamist Boko Haram militants may try to assault the Borno state capital after seizing towns and territory around it, residents said on Thursday.

Heavily-armed Boko Haram fighters using captured military vehicles and weapons have taken towns and villages to the north, east and south of Maiduguri in the last few weeks and days in an apparent strategy to encircle the city and hold territory.

Apprehension among Maiduguri residents grew after fierce fighting since Monday between Nigeria's military and attacking Boko Haram fighters over the town of Bama, 70 km (45 miles) southeast of Maiduguri. Thousands have fled Bama amid conflicting reports of who has control.

The militants, who have issued videos of themselves storming into towns with guns blazing aboard trucks mounted with heavy machine guns, also took the smaller town of Bara on Tuesday, to the southwest of Maiduguri.

http://www.todayonline.com/world/hundreds-flee-nigerian-city-islamist-militants-gain-ground