Boko Haram systematically killing men in northern Nigeria

Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram was systematically killing men in northern Nigeria to assert its control, causing more than 26,000 people to flee the area within one week, local newspaper Punch reported on Thursday (04/09/2014).

The group had been clashing with soldiers in the town of Bama in Borno State since last week, killing more than 180 people, according to the military.

"Everyone is a (Boko Haram) target as long as you are a male," said Senator Ahmed Zannah, who represents Borno Central in the National Assembly.

The National Emergency Management Agency registered 26,391 refugees from Bama.

Witnesses said Boko Haram was now in control of Bama, but the military has denied the reports.

In August, Boko Haram declared a caliphate in the town of Gwoza, roughly 50 kilometres from Bama.

Boko Haram, which means "Western education is sinful," killed more than 3,000 people in the north of the country this year alone.

When it first launched attacks in 2009, Boko Haram mainly targeted Christians, under the pretext of wanting to establish an Islamic state.

Since mid-2013, the group has focused its attacks on government security agents as well as on civilians of both Christian and Muslim faith in their homes, markets, hospitals and schools. - Sapa-dpa