Based on the latest news on Boko Haram, the notorious Nigerian Islamic extremists continue to propagate terror in Nigeria and other neighboring nations. The terrorists are now intensifying attacks in Cameroon. And the group is targeting new villages with gradually more sophisticated weapons.

For the past five years, an Islamic extremist group called Boko Haram has developed in reputation and hideousness in northeast Nigeria. According to the latest news of The Economist, the terrorists have expanded its membership, range of operations and the territory it controls.

In spite of the fact that Nigeria is now Africa's largest economy and has highly capable political elite, the group has intensified its attacks and they continue to propagate terror across the land. And the crisis in the northeast needs to be seen in the perspective of generally increasing criminality in Nigeria.

In the past three years, Boko Haram has rejected an official pardon offered by the government to end the insurgency that has killed about 2,000 people. As per the latest news by TVC, the Islamic extremists recurrently accused security forces of illegally detaining the relatives of its members. The group said their release was a pre-condition for any ceasefire.

On Monday, Boko Haram released a video which shows women and children apparently being held hostage. They also claimed two recent deadly attacks in northeastern Nigeria.

"We are the ones that carried out the Bama attack," Abu-Bakr Shekau said. "We have abducted women and children in response to the arrest of our members' wives and children."

In the video, Shekau did not reveal the identities of the women and children whom he said the group had apprehended nor say how many they were. He further confirmed the group had carried out a series of attacks in recent weeks.

Last week, Boko Haram seized control of Gombi, Pelia and Hong communities which resulted to the displacement of hundreds of people. But on the latest news by Premium Times NG, the defense headquarters said Wednesday that the Nigerian military has retaken full control of the communities.

"Troops are in full control of Gombi, Pelia & Hong as operations to clear all areas infested by terrorists continue. Many of them are being captured as some also die," the defense headquarters said on its Web site. "Weapons and equipment are also being recovered. Mopping up operation is currently ongoing in the general area."

Meanwhile, Boko Haram had focused its attacks on Cameroon. Though the Islamic extremist insurgents have been using Cameroon as a place to rest and stock up food, The Daily Nation said its attacks are now spreading further south into the nation.

According to the latest news by Cameroon's army, Boko Haram members have gash the throats of market-goers in broad daylight near the northern city of Mokolo. In Nigeria, the group has taken some 20 towns and collected a stockpile of weapons taken from Nigerian army bases.

The insurgents now use armored vehicles, landmines, rocket launchers and Kalashnikovs. And with the latest news, Boko Haram is indeed stepping up their game in propagating terror in Nigeria and its neighboring nations.