Nigerian military officials claimed yesterday that the armed forces had destroyed Boko Haram headquarters in the north-eastern town of Gwoza and driven insurgents from its strongholds.

The military has been pursuing “a final onslaught,” dislodging insurgents from towns and communities in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno states, said defence spokesman Major General Chris Olukolade.

The first intimation of progress was provided on the official Twitter account of the Nigerian Defence Headquarters.

“FLASH: Troops this morning captured Gwoza destroying the headquarters of the terrorists’ self-styled caliphate,” it read.

While there will be scepticism over the claim to have defeated Boko Haram, victory talk will do President Goodluck Jonathan no harm in his bid for re-election today.

There was no mention yesterday of the Sambisa Forest, where Boko Haram is believed to have several camps.

Military aircraft have been bombing the area for weeks, while Nigeria’s military has co-operated with troops and military aircraft from neighbouring countries to retake dozens of towns from Boko Haram.