Nigeria's Goodluck Jonathan: Tide turned against Boko Haram

Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan has said the tide has "definitely turned" against militant Islamists as regional forces recapture territory. His comments came hours after Boko Haram militants were blamed for killing 27 people in bombings in two commercial centres in the north on Tuesday. Boko Haram had hit "soft targets" because of the setbacks it had suffered in battle, Mr Jonathan said. Regional forces have recaptured eight major towns in recent weeks. So Mr Jonathan's comments appear to have some credence, even if he made similar remarks last year, says the BBC's Bashir Sa'ad Abdullahi in the capital, Abuja. The Nigerian military, backed by regional troops, is now taking the war to Boko Haram, rather than fleeing the battlefield, our correspondent adds. However, at least six major towns are still held by Boko Haram, he says. Many residents fear the militants will regroup and launch a new offensive to regain territory, he adds.