#News: Allies begin push against Boko Haram

[BBC]

 The Nigerian military and troops from neighbouring states have recently claimed some success in their campaign against Boko Haram, and Nigerian officials said the pledge of allegiance to IS was a sign of weakness

Army spokesman Col Sami Usman Kukasheka said the Boko Haram leader was like a "drowning man".

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Colonel Sami Usman Kukasheka: "The military will definitely see to the end of the insurgency in Nigeria"

"There is no surprise that he is craving for support from fellow terrorists across the world," he told the BBC World Service.

"Basically he's just trying to create panic to create a plea for help that will not even come because very soon we will see to the end of the insurgency in Nigeria."

 Boko Haram at a glance

Founded in 2002, initially focused on opposing Western-style education - Boko Haram means "Western education is forbidden" in the Hausa language

• Launched military operations in 2009 to create Islamic state
• Thousands killed, mostly in north-eastern Nigeria - has also attacked police and UN headquarters in capital, Abuja
• Abducted hundreds, including at least 200 schoolgirls
• Controls several north-eastern towns
• Launched attacks on neighbouring states

Why is Boko Haram so strong?

Can regional force beat Islamists?

IS shaping Boko Haram media

 A spokesman for the Nigerian government, Mike Omeri, said Boko Haram needed help "as a result of the heavy casualties and bombardment and degrading of their capacity".

However, militants have continued to launch deadly attacks. On Saturday Boko Haram was blamed for a series of attacks in its former stronghold of Maiduguri, including suicide bombings, that left more than 50 people dead.  

Nigeria postponed national elections by six weeks until 28 March in order to have more time to try to improve security in the north.

Col Kukasheka called on Nigerians "to be more security conscious because given the onslaught on Boko Haram definitely they are bound to spring surprises".

IS took control of large swathes of territory in eastern Syria and across northern and western Iraq last year.

It has forged links with other militant groups across North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, and in January, militants in Afghanistan and Pakistan pledged their allegiance.

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Jim Muir: "This makes them look more like a global franchise"


Source: BBC