Multinational force conducting operations against Boko Haram

A multinational force has begun operations against Boko Haram along the border between Niger and Nigeria, a general from Niger said on Tuesday.

A multinational force has begun operations against Boko Haram along the border between Niger and Nigeria, a general from Niger said on Tuesday.

Brigadier-General Abdou Sidikou Issa, tactical chief of staff for troops based in Niger’s southern zone of Diffa, a region plagued by the terrorist militant group, said troops from Chad and Nigeria were involved in the operation. 

Issa added, “Operations began in secret almost a week ago.”

It is not the first time the nations in the Lake Chad basin — Niger, Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon — have joined forces against Boko Haram, a violent takfiri group which started in Nigeria seven years ago and has since launched deadly attacks in all four countries.

The operations have as their objective (to end) the occupation of all the zones currently occupied by Boko Haram and to firmly secure the borders

The multinational force is headquartered in Chad’s capital of N’Djamena.