. >> we go to nigeria now where the army has taken a retaken a town of baga. now in the town seized by boko haram, these satellite pictures were released by amnesty international. we see the scale of destruction. 150 people had been killed, but locals put the number of dead as high as 2 thou. >> now first of all, just remind us what is the significance of the recapture of baga? >> well, barbara this is a hugely significant and symbolic victory for the nigeria army. this has been the fallen of the insurgency in the battle against boko haram over the last six years. two very controversial incidents in january this year, 2,000 people are allegedly killed by boko haram. the nigerian military were accused of turning a blind eye if you like. in 2013 i was on the ground myself when the military again were accused of being passive to 200 people being killed in the cross fire in the fighting of boko haram concealing a mass grave. an allegation that the military has all denied. it was extremely important for the military to be seen to be on top of baga and getting it ba

baga and doran baga. are those nigerian satirical magazines? >> no, they're towns jon.ko haram destroyed them and killed thousands of people. >> jon: yes! boko haram. i've heard of them. hashtag bring back our girls. >> yeah, that's right. well, hashtag they didn't. in fact since then, boko haram has captured an area the size of slovakia. that's two slovenias. that's nine million american football fields. >> jon: holy ( bleep )! that's a lot of area. i did not realize. >> you know what, you're not the only one jon. not a single head of state went to nay jerry after the attacks, not even obama and he's african. >> jon: well, well, african american. he was not born in africa. born in hawaii. >> oh, yeah, right. yeah, yeah, yeah. ( laughter ) i got you. i got you. >> jon: if it makes you feel better obama didn't go to paris either. >> yeah, but at least you could have sent us jails taylor. what? africa doesn't get a friend? ( laughter ) >> jon: settle for paul simon? >> oh okay but only if he promises not to steal our music. hashtag bring back our songs. look jon, in franc

do we have a clear idea of who exactly won baga?well we know that the nigerian troops have actually won back baga. we know there was a coordination of airstrikes from the other part of this and not saying who did what but at least we know on the ground they had some support from the air and nigerian troops were on the ground to reclaim baga. >> the timing i guess, is good for the government. he elections due in a few weeks. >> yes. >> do you think they will be able to go ahead? >> realistically, i think that they may have to -- there is a higher possibility the elections will be postponed on the 28th of march. i say this because even when there are more victories to defeat boko haram, there is a certain level of occupation just to keep boko haram away. the reason for extending the election date is actually because you want troops to disengage from the northeast to cover the 155,000 units. for that same reason the troops need to be there for a lot longer and cannot be disengaged by march the 28th. so there is a very high possibility

. >>> this satellite picture shows baga. vegetation is shaded in red. all around you can see streets and clusters of buildings. five days later an estimated 3,000 homes as well as scores of clinics have been destroyed. more from yvonne ndege in abuja. >> it's really been the thorn in the side of the fight against the group in the last six years. two very controversial events have taken place in the town earlier in the year in january there were reports that the that at least 2,000 people were killed by boko haram and the military were basically accused of turning a blind eye to this. in 2013, similar accusations though a smaller number, at least 200 people were killed by boko haram and dumped mr. a mass grave. again the -- dumped in a mass grave. it was hugely importantly for the nigerian military to get this town back from boko haram. they are telling us that many were killed, that they were able to get weapons that the group were holding anti-aircraft weapons for example and that they're hoping the town is under control of the nigerian army this we wi

significant victory it was symbolic for them and for the nation, really, for the capture of this down, baga. it has been at the center of the worst violence we've seen perpetrated by the group. reports of 200 people were killed in the cross fire the. this has been called victory and they would recapture this town to show ultimately the nigerian people that the offensive against the group is a success and slowly but surely boko haram will be diminished. >> hold it just a moment, yvonne we'll show satellite images. if you look at all the red spots on this map. that's like vegetation. that's plant life, trees and what you see is before the attack the town looking pretty healthy as we look over the streets and roads there you see plenty of those spots and then you see how much it has gone down there. it shows how much less--how the town was basically overrun by boko haram. it is a huge deal that the military got back. this is one step forward two steps back scenario where there are so many other fronts for boko haram and they go cross border as well. >> well, that's right there are strategic pl

nigerian army has retain a strategic town formally under control of boko haram, the city of baga on lakehad is near cameroon. the town is a headquarters for multiple multi-national military force from all four countries. he von edege has more from the capital. >> the recapture is a hugely significant and symbolic victory for the nigerian army because it has been the thorn in the side of the fight against the group over the last 6 years, two very controversial events have taken place in the town earlier this year in january. there were reports of at least 2000 people killed by boko haram and the military were basically accused of turning a blind eye to this. in 2013, similar accusations, though a smaller number at least 200 people were allegedly killed by boko haram and dumped in a mass grave. again, authorities were accused of not responding to sos calls from residents in the area. so it was hugely important for the nigerian military to get this town back from boko haram. they are telling us many were killed in the violence that cantha took place, that they were able to get weapons that

the defensive was in the north-east of baga and other areas. >> in ghana, people are manning a protest of power outages which are crippling the businesses and their lives. people that don't have a generator are in the dark every other day. >> reporter: these workers pack 20 tonnes of fraud per day for export. it's a 24 hour temperature controlled operation on the out skirts of ghana's capital. they are using generalsors more and more because -- generators more and more because electricity from the grid is erratic. >> electricity or power is 5% of the business. it's running between 70%. it's almost doubled. it puts a strain on our cash and makes it difficult. >> businesses and homes are experiencing power cuts for days at a time. there's not enough supply to meet demand even though the power plant has the capacity to generate more electricity than needed. >> there's an ability to call on demand, demand and supply. that is what is messing. that is the problem. that's why we need to improve on culture of maintenance as a country. have periodic energy planning system. >> the president set

these pictures show baga before boko haram moved in. five days later, pictures show it was badly damaged and the whole area was flattened. >> the foreign minister is visiting cameroon's president in a show of support. the visit comes before a planned offensive carried out by a regional force next month, carving out territory. carrying out more raids. >> still ahead on al jazeera. struggles to recover billions. >> and a lamb in a suit. powered by the sun. a new tool set up. >> tuesday on "the stream". >> selling cocaine was my purpose. >> they had been trafficking on behalf of the united states government. >> renowned filmmaker marc levin discusses his new movie "freeway: crack in the system". "the stream". tuesday, 12:30 eastern. only on al jazeera america. >>> welcome back a reminder of the top stories - turkey sent hundred of soldiers to syria, to relocate an ottoman shrine. ankara says the syrian government was not informed of the operation. yemen's abd-rabbu mansour hadi who fled the capital after being forced says he is the preside

the offensive was in the northern regions of baga sambesa and bama. >>> two teenage suicide bombers debt natalled their explosives at crowded bus stations. >>> in ga ghana people who don't have a generator are in the dark for 12 hours or more every other day. reports from accra. >> these workers pack 20 towndz of food per day. they're using generators more and more because electricity from the grid is erratic and infrequent. >> initially we were just spending electricity or power about 5% of the total gross take of the business. frankly it's running from 7 to 10%, almost doubled based on the situation we are currently in so it puts strain on cash. >> businesses and homes are experiencing power cuts for days at a time. there's just not enough supply to mead meet demand. even if the country's power plants can generate more lesk electricity than is needed. >> we need to maintain our periodic maintenance. >> the president has set up a power commission. >> has not given the issue the seriousness as it deserves. but the president has promised that this episode will never be repeated in our nat

. >> in the recent week, the military has retain baga in borno state. training they are getting will help them defeat the group. >> boko haram is a militia made up of civilians and don't have the experience as we have. they are not a well organized army. they can't resist us. >> nearly a million people like these families in jos plato state, have been displaced by the violence. >> despite the military saying boko haram has been defeated, a suicide bomber killed a few and wound it others. yvonne ndege nigeria. >>> restrictions on the media the controversial legislation in the wake of the attacks of the armed group al shabaab as haru matassa reports several sections of the ruling violated the constitution. >> it is a packed courtroom. eagerly awaiting the state argues the laws will make it easier to deal with security threats from terrorist organizations like al shabaab. but things don't go their way. >> section 12 of the act and section 66 of the penal code is hereby declared unconstitutional. >> judges ruled part of the security laws unconstitutional, t

that, we got hold the satellite imagery, and we're having a look at it before and after situations in baga. it's obviously significant if the army can say it's retaken this. but i get the feeling that one step forward two steps back because there are so many other fronts against boko haram across border attacks in other countries. >> well, that's right. and the group has been perpetrating acts of violence, not just nigeria but possible in other countries cameroon, and even chad. it's very difficult to know precisely how successful the military operations of the group are because every battle that is won, sometimes in just the next day there are further reports of attacks by the group. the way the military authorities see it here is that the group is relevant in certain areas. they have not seen of the group. they say it's an ongoing battle, a problem that won't be solved easily. but you might recall the elections in niger nigeria have been exposed having taken further hits by the group. what we're hearing about areas being recaptured, and boosting public confidence in what the majority aut

more than 14,000 crossed lake chad in early january from the north-east town of baga. there has been more attack in north-east nigeria ahead of the february 14th elections there. on monday one person was killed and 18 injured in a car bomb attack on a campaign rally held by nigeria's president, jonathan goodluck. >> nigeria's main opposition leader says he'll make the country a safer place if he is elected. he was addressing supporters at a rally. >> translation: our main job is to improve security that is a priority because people need to be free to go where they want to go and day or night to make a living. >> human trials have begun in liberia. one of the most affected west african countries of ebola. 30,000 chose to take part. the ebola epidemic killed 5,000 in the west african region. parties in sudan called nationwide boycotts of upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections. the party said it would shun the vote to protest political and fresh freedom. leaders called on all sudanese to join the boycott to end the 25 year rule. >>> the united nations highest i

. >> reporter: the recapture of baga is a significant victory for the nigeria army. it's been the thorn in the fight against the group over the last year. two controversial event have taken place in the town this year in january. there were reports that at least 2,000 people were killed by boko haram, and the military were basically accused of turning a blind eye to this. 2013, similar accusations. two people were killed by boko haram, and dumped in a mass grave. there were accusations of nonresponse to sos calls. it was importance for the nigerian military to get the town back. what they are telling us is many were killed in the violence many boko haramions, and they were able to get records that the group were holding. anti-aircraft vehicles and they are hoping the town is under the control of the nigerian armies that will see the many thousands that fled to neighbouring countries like niger republic return >>> a victory against boko haram comes as france's foreign minister is touring the region. both are participating in a multinational air offensive against boko

. >> reporter: in the last week the nigerian army said it has taken down many towns like baga in borno state. some of these chaddians are confidence that the training they're getting will help them defend against the group. >> they don't have the same experience as we have. we're a well organized army, they can't resist us. >> it may feel like too little too late for those who have lost loved ones. this many people have been displaced in this state because of the violence. the group continues to launch attacks. a suicide bomb are killed several and wounded others in the town of potascam in yobe state on saturday. yvonne ndege, al jazeera nigeria. >>> liberia borders three other countries and that border was closed for several months after the largest ebola outbreak in history. some dramatic pictures from the u.s. a tanker carrying nearly 9,000 gallons of fuel caught fire in the state of new jersey. thick smoke could be seen for hours, the driver was able to get out of the vehicle. it's not immediately clear how the tanker caught fire. >>> birdman has flown at the oscar. the show bis pi

. >>> the nigerian military has retaken the city of baga from boko haram.ere murdered last month. amnesty called those killings -- some were drowned and others were killed in fighting on saturday. >>> a small town in nigeria, despite differences in their faiths there is no conflict between people a, just cooperation. channel 4 news reports on these two faiths co-existing with one another. ♪ ♪ >> reporter: if their political leaders lack charisma the church does not. it is on fire. they're speaking in tongues. their prophetess leading her flock in songs of praise. nigeria style. ♪ ♪ [ bells ringing ] >> reporter: as we climb, an ex-or sichlex or ex-or sichl is going on halfway up making enough noise to wake the dead. so be healed. they call this place of pilgrimage not only for christians but for muslims and animists too. they worship, pray and make sacrifices here. there are wandering mystics. some have lived up here for years. there are four things that seem to matter more than most to your average nigerian. in no particular order -- football politics noll

. >> reporter: in the last week the army says it has taken back many towns like baga in borneo state. the training that the soldiers are getting will help to defeat the group. >> reporter: boko haram is a militia made of civilians, they don't have the same experience. we are well organised. they can't resist us. >> reporter: it may feel too little too late for those that lost lived ones. a million people have been displaced by the violence. >> despite the president and military saying boko haram is defeated. theycontinued to launch attacks, killing self wounding others >>> the former president of the maldives has been dragged before court after being tried over terrorism law, over his decision to arrest a top judge. he was talking to journalists outside court when police pulled him in >>> the death toll from a weekend ferry disaster rose to 70. 140 passengers were thought to be on board. it was hit by a cargo vessel and capsized. some are missing. >> russia's president vladimir putin says there's no need for a minsk meeting in ukraine. vladimir putin hopes the agreement reached there

group's recent attacks include the reported massacre of hundreds of people in the northern town of baga last month. nigeria is due to hold national elections in two weeks. al jazeera journalist peter greste has been released from an egyptian prison after 400 days behind bars. greste and two of his al jazeera colleagues, mohamed fahmy and baher mohamed, were convicted on terrorism charges widely denounced as a sham. they were arrested as part of a crackdown on al jazeera while covering the aftermath of the coup that overthrew president mohammed morsi in 2013. greste flew to cyprus on sunday following his release, but fahmy and mohamed remain behind bars. al jazeera english managing director al anstey said the network continues to seek the remaining pair's freedom. >> we spoke to peter earlier on this afternoon, just after he was released from detention. i can't tell you how relieved we are that peter has left egypt and is on his way to be reunited with his family. it is a day a very mixed emotions. we have to focus on the fact that baher and mohamed are still behind bars, 400 days after

. >> reporter: the rapecapture of baga is a symbolic victory for the nigerian army.s been the thorn in the side of the fight against the group over the last six years: two very controversialents have taken place in the town earlier this year in january. there were reports of at least 2000 people were killed by boko haram. the military were basically accused of it turning a blind eye of this. in 2013, similar accusations, though a smaller number at least 200 people were aldly killed by boko haram and dumped in a mass grave. again, the authorities were accused of not responding to sos calls from residents in the area so it was hugely important for the nigerian military to get this town back from boko haram. now, what they are telling us is that many bokoh haram fighters were killed in the violence that took place. they were able to get weapons that the group were holding, anti-aircraft weapons, for example, vehicles, and that what they are hoping now that the town is under the chrome of the nigerian army is we will start to see the many thousands of people who fled to

state where he inspected weapons and soldiers took back from the fighters and from there he want to baga by boko haram in january. last week the army managed to push the armed group out of the town bordering chad. >> government with the opposition and that is good as a president for you to appreciate this this. i'm very hopeful this will turn around the journey of ending boko haram and addressing it. >> reporter: u.n. condemning destruction of iraq's ancient history by i.s.i.l. fighters the statutes from nineveh the empire and some date back to the 19th century b.c. and archeologist described their destruction as a night more and they have 12000 sites around 1800 of them are currently under i.s.i.l. control. and we have an archeologist from the london based institute of archeology and good to have you with us those pictures of men taking sledgehammer and smashing up those priceless statutes it's so depressing and distressing, what were your thoughts as you saw those pictures? >> well as i said before, i thought it was a nightmare, perhaps i wake up and it's just not there. >> can you sti