Boko Haram has launched a major offensive in Nigeria's northeastern city of Maiduguri and the town of Monguno, engaging in fierce battles with the military.

The fighting erupted as John Kerry, the US secretary of state, arrived in the country on Sunday and met with President Goodluck Jonathan and his chief rival candidate, former general Muhammadu Buhari, ahead of next month's presidential election.

Al Jazeera's Yvonne Ndege reports from Abuja in Nigera.

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