More than 300 Boko Haram islamic militants have been killed in operations in and around northeastern Nigeria according to army sources. <br /><br /> As part of a regional four-nation military coalition troops from neighbouring Cameroon helped to retake 11 villages, including the strategically important area around Fotokol, which Major Belthus Kwene said is a sensitive point:<br /><br /> “It links two big regions – West and Central Africa. This village is a transit point that everyone needs to go through, for either personal or business reasons. So Fotokol is of huge significance.”<br /><br /> The military coalition against Boko Haram is made up of Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.<br /><br /> The militant group has killed thousands of civilians and soldiers since it started its campaign for for a breakaway Islamic state in 2009.<br /><br /> The United States embassy in Camaroon says it will help equip the country’s army to combat the group.
