Kidnapped: The Chibok schoolgirls in a video released by Boko Haram. Photo: AFP
Kano, Nigeria: - Boko Haram has seized the north-eastern Nigerian town of Chibok, from where 276 girls were kidnapped more than six months ago and which the government vowed to secure after the mass abduction.
The April 14 kidnapping in the impoverished town in southern Borno state brought unprecedented global attention to the armed Islamist group's brutal five-year uprising.
Heads of state and top celebrities joined a viral social media campaign calling for the rescue of the seized, mostly Christian, schoolgirls, 219 of whom are still being held.
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has repeatedly promised to rescue the schoolgirls, including on Tuesday when he launched his bid for a second term in office ahead of February 14 polls.
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In a July meeting in the capital, Abuja, with those affected by the kidnapping, Mr Jonathan and top military brass also pledged to provide better security for the town.
But the violence in the north-east has intensified since, with Boko Haram reportedly seizing more than two dozen towns and Nigeria's security forces reportedly absent in many areas.
The military was not immediately available to comment on the developments in Chibok.
But given the town's symbolic significance, its fall will likely raise fresh doubt about Nigeria's ability to handle the Boko Haram threat.
"Chibok was taken by Boko Haram. They are in control," said Enoch Mark, a Christian pastor whose daughter and niece are among the hostages being held.
Mr Mark and the senator for southern Borno, Ali Ndume, said the militants attacked on Thursday, destroying communications masts and forcing residents to flee.
Mr Ndume said that he had received calls from fleeing residents about the attack that the town "was now under their [Boko Haram] control".
In a series of phone calls to AFP in recent months, Chibok elders stressed that security had continued to deteriorate, despite the promises made by the government.
Pogo Bitrus, chairman of the elders forum in Chibok, also confirmed the attack but said troops were being deployed and were going to retake Chibok.
AFP