Nigeria Army Re-Captures Town Seized by Boko Haram

The Nigerian army says it has regained control of Chibok, the town where more than 200 mainly Christian schoolgirls were kidnapped by jihadis from the Islamic group Boko Haram six months ago.

"Chibok is firmly in the hands of the Nigerian army," Nigerian army spokesman Brig. Gen. Olajide Olaleye told the Associated Press.

"Chibok is free. Secure," he declared, adding that residents were clear to return to their homes.

On Thursday night, thousands fell as rebels entered the town shooting from pickup trucks and motorcycles.

Chibok is an enclave of mostly Christian families; some are involved in translating the Bible into local languages in the mainly Muslim northern part of Nigeria.