On Wednesday, Defense Ministers from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger agreed to provide troops in order to stamp out Boko Haram, reports the BBC.
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With each country contributing 700 troops each, the respective defense ministers hope to efface the al-Qaeda-linked terrorist organization that continues to wage daily assaults against civilians.
Echoing this goal, Niger Defense Minister Karidio Mahamadou said they were determined to “eradicate this curse.”
The group met in Niger’s capital of Niamey and reportedly met earlier in this year in May to coordinate their efforts on intelligence and border security.
Boko Haram’s violence has spilled across a number of borders, particularly in Cameroon.
For example, also on Wednesday, the militants allegedly blew up the Ngala bridge, which links Nigeria and Cameroon.
In March, Face2Face Africa reported on a second-class soldier who was murdered by militants and a Boko Haram attack that occurred at a security post in Cameroon in May:
“On May 7th at 2 a.m., more than 30 suspected members of Boko Haram, who were very heavily armed, attacked the Territorial Brigade Post of the Cameroonian Gendarmerie, killing a chief warrant officer on duty and freeing one of their members who was in custody.”
Yet another attack would take place later that month.
“According to reports gathered by Face2Face Africa, the very heavily armed Boko Haram members stormed the Chinese road construction company’s base at about 9 p.m. GMT. Following a fierce gun battle between them and the Cameroonian special Rapid Intervention Unit who were on guard, Boko Haram still succeeded in killing one soldier, Sergeant Abdou Bouba, and wounding two others, Sergeants Biloa Samuel Roland and Mousa Boubakari.
“Boko Haram also kidnapped 10 Chinese workers, injured a Cameroonian driver and a Chinese. They stole 10 double pickup vehicles (4-wheel drivers), two trucks, and a container of explosives belonging to the Chinese company and one gun. Afterward, they took off, abandoning two motor bikes and a crenate they came with for the attack.”
As for Boko Haram’s alleged activities in neighboring Chad and Niger, they have reportedly increased their ranks by recruiting from both countries.
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