But while Boko Haram has in large part been pushed out of cities in the northeast, it has been seizing villages with thatched-roof huts in the semi-arid region where it once held sway, boldly staking its claim by hoisting black flags with white

Arabic lettering, and making large areas of Nigeria no-go regions for the military.

The villages attacked on Monday are near Gwoza, a regional political center whose emir was killed in a Boko Haram ambush on his convoy last week. Emirs are religious and traditional rulers who have been targeted for speaking out against Boko Haram's extremism.

Borno Governor Kashim Shettima traveled on Saturday to Gwoza to pay his respects to the fallen emir and was quoted by the Information Nigeria website as saying it was a terrifying ride.

A local journalist who was in the convoy, which was escorted by 150 soldiers, counted at least 16towns and villages that were deserted along the 135-km route, according to a local media report.

About the broadcaster:

Lance Crayon is a videographer and editor with China Daily. Since living in Beijing he has worked for China Radio International (CRI) and Global Times. Before moving to China he worked in the film industry in Los Angeles as a talent agent and producer. He has a B.A. in English from the University of Texas at Arlington.

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