Nigerian militants raid northern city of Damaturu
Damaturu, Nigeria, 26 Oct - (ANA) - - Suspected Boko Haram militants have engaged security forces in a lengthy gun battle and raided a hospital in the northern Nigerian city of Damaturu. Residents said it was a "big, audacious attack" and that assailants stole drugs from the hospital and drove off in ambulances.
Meanwhile, the military said it had killed 74 suspected Boko Haram militants in a raid in Borno state. Authorities have recently stepped up their campaign against the militants. North-eastern Nigeria is the focus of an insurgency by the group that began in 2009 and aims to create an Islamic state.
President Goodluck Jonathan urged the military to up its campaign against Boko Haram five months ago. Damaturu is the main city in Yobe state, which lies to the west of Borno. It has been calm for more than a year, and there is a large military presence in there.(ANA)

FA/ANA/26 October 2013------