article_snippet: This comes after months of defeat at the hands of Boko Haram, with soldiers fleeing the battlefield after the battlefield ran out of ammunition.
article_snippet: Earlier this week Earlier this week emerged that Boko Haram had abducted hundreds of women and children  from primary schools  to use children   as 'human shields'.
article_snippet: the militants' took adults and children from primary schools in the north-eastern town of Damasak as troops from Niger and Chad approached a month ago, Mike Omeri, the Nigerian spokesman for the fight against Boko Haram, confirmed Earlier this week.
article_snippet: Boko Haram rushed to primary schools the soldiers took children and adults that the soldiers are using as shields to protect the soldiers from the menacing advance of troops,' Mr Omeri said. '
article_snippet: the soldiers are being used as shields by Boko Haram.'
article_snippet: Damasak, which is near the border with Niger and had been held by Boko Haram for months, was recaptured on March 16 - but officials have only confirmed the kidnappings now.
article_snippet: Kidnapped: As many as 500 women and children were taken from Damasak, in north-eastern Nigeria, as Chadian troops (pictured) advanced on the town, which had been held by Boko Haram for months .
article_snippet: Chadian army celebrates entering Damasak - showing off one of Boko Haram flags .
article_snippet: Last week, Chadian troops ( found the bodies of at least 70 people in an apparent execution site under a bridge leading out of Damasak, which had been used as an administrative centre for the extremists who hope to create Chadian troops ( own 'caliphate' in the region.