The dusty, remote spot in Nigeria's far northeast where the military says insurgents operated a major camp is now little more than burnt-out cars, strewn trash and unanswered questions. More than three weeks into a military offensive seeking to end a years-long insurgency by Islamist extremist group Boko Haram, Nigeria has claimed important successes, but the truth is difficult to determine. It has denied killing civilians, though it declines to provide numbers or details on casualties.

Nigeria has formally declared the Boko Haram Islamist sect and Ansaru, its suspected offshot, "terrorist" groups and issued a law to ban them, a presidential statement said on Tuesday. "President Goodluck Jonathan has formally approved the proscription of Boko Haram and authorised the gazetting of an order declaring the group's activities illegal and acts of terrorism," said the statement from his office. The ban "affects both Boko Haram (Jamaatu Ahlis-Sunna Liddaawati Wal Jihad) and another group - Jama'atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan", it said.

By Isaac Abrak KADUNA, Nigeria (Reuters) - The leader of Boko Haram Islamist rebels said on Wednesday a Nigerian military offensive is failing in its goal of crushing the four-year-old insurgency. Abubakar Shekau's statement, in a video seen by Reuters, was the first word from Boko Haram since President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency on May 14 in the three northeastern state worst hit by the insurgency.

By Joe Brock MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) - Nuradin Mohammed used to resent and fear the troops who swept past his fish stall in this northeast Nigerian city on the trail of Islamist insurgents Boko Haram. Now, for the first time, he thinks they may be on his side. "We are pleased the president has finally recognized our peril and we pray his plan works," Mohammed said, frying fish by the roadside as a crowd of young children looked on hungrily and trucks packed with troops rumbled past.