The noose appears to be tightening on the Boko Haram insurgents as Nigeria’s military forces consolidate on their success in the all-out war against the sect launched in the wake of Tuesday’s imposition of emergency rule on Borno, Yobe and Adamawa by President Goodluck Jonathan.

A source close to the military intelligence told News Express that the insurgents now have their backs against the wall because neighbouring countries are refusing them entry as they seek to flee from heavy bombardment by Nigerian troops.

“Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic have blockaded them, so they have little options left on where to run to,” a military intelligence operative said.

This may have explained why those fleeing from the areas targeted by Nigerian troops in Borno opted to move towards the state capital, Maiduguri, rather than cross the border to safety.

As reported last night by News Express and other media, at least 65 suspected Boko Haram members have been arrested while fleeing from heavy bombardment of targets in Borno by Nigerian troops.

A statement by the Defence headquarters in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, said the suspects were nabbed while trying to enter Maiduguri.

Yesterday, the military made things more difficult for the insurgents and their collaborators by imposition an indefinite 24-hour curfew on 12 neighbourhoods of Maiduguri.

•Photo shows Nigerian troops.