BERMAN: A fresh round of violence this morning from Boko Haram. The Islamic extremist clashing with troops in Nigeria's biggest city, Maiduguri, the bloodshed is happening as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry visits Nigeria's president in the country's financial hub. The secretary is there to try to encourage peaceful elections next month. Diana Magnay is following the very latest developments for us. Diana, what can you tell us?</s>DIANA MAGNAY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, John, well, it has been Boko Haram's strategic objective for some time to try and capture the town of Maiduguri. It is important because it is the regional capital of Borneo state where they hold a lot of territory already. It is also the center of the military operation against them, an operation called, "Operation Flash." So if they are to capture that city, they will effectively be in control of the large swath of Nigerian territory. Even if the Nigerian government denies that they control any. As it was, the Nigerian army managed to push them back from Maiduguri, but the militants did managed to capture a military barracks in the town called Monguno about 125 kilometers from Maiduguri up towards Bagr. And of course, when they captured barracks, they captured weapons and become better emboldened, better empowered for further attacks. This did all happen the same day that John Kerry was in Legos to reinforce the strength of U.S.-Nigerian relations and to call for peaceful elections. Nigeria doesn't have a good history on violence. He said that for the United States, they wanted to do more for Nigeria, depending on the election outcome and the peace around it -- John.</s>BERMAN: All right, Diana Magnay, for us. The question is, is this an unwilling government? Questions that need to be answered and soon to save thousands of live. Diana Magnay, thanks so much.</s>ROMANS: All right, the big story here this morning. A record- breaking blizzard that could mean a big hit to the economy, an EARLY START on your money is next.
Boko Haram Attacks Big Nigerian City