Niger Republic's troops enter the fight against Boko Haram killing over 100 near border

 NIGER Republic has joined the regional fight against Boko Haram having successfully repelled an attempted incursion into its territory by the terrorist sect killing about 109 insurgents in the border towns of Bosso and Diffa.

Over the last few weeks, Nigeria's neighbours have stepped up cooperation in the fight against terrorism with the creation of the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTC) to combat Boko Haram. Made up primarily of troops from Cameroon, Chad, Niger Republic and Nigeria, the MNJTC will form the core of an African Union force made up of 7,500 troops from across the continent.

Already, the MNJTC has swung into action with Chadian troops moving across the border with Nigeria to displace Boko Haram from Gamboru in Borno State. Benin, Ghana and Uganda have all said they will contribute troops to the MNJTF too and the African Union intends to get a United Nations Security Council resolution backing its creation.

Yesterday, Niger’s defence minister reported that 109 terrorists were killed, along with four soldiers and a civilian, with 17 troops wounded as a Boko Haram raid was repelled. Chad’s commander in Niger, General Yaya Daoud, was also wounded, suffering from a gunshot wound to the stomach.

Mahamadou Karidjo, Niger’s defence minister said calm had now been restored to both Bosso and Diffa. He added that Niger would ask its parliament to approve sending troops to Nigeria to fight the militants alongside Chadian and Cameroon soldiers.

US State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said: “This unchecked killing must stop. We will continue to provide support to governments in the region, including through intelligence sharing and are increasing our support for these efforts.”

US intelligence officials said that while Boko Haram is flush with cash and weapons after a string of battlefield advances, the militants could face a tougher fight with Nigeria’s neighbours. They believe the military intervention of neighbouring countries could potentially be a game changer in a positive way.

One local Bosso resident, said that during the recent fighting, Chadian and Nigerien troops were all over the streets and an aircraft flew overhead. Other clashes broke out some 10km in Diffa, also in Niger Republic, which is on the border with Nigeria near a bridge that links the two countries.