admin
Washington — Nigeria’s president says a multinational African force will be in place within 10 days to take the fight to the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram that has killed thousands and was behind the abduction of hundreds of schoolgirls. Muhammadu Buhari said on Tuesday that Boko Haram would be defeated in 18 months or less. But he conceded that Nigerian authorities lack intelligence about the girls still missing after the mass-kidnapping from the northern town of Chibok in April 2014 that stirred international outrage.
He said his government is open to freeing detained militants in exchange for the girls’ freedom, but only if it finds credible Boko Haram leaders to negotiate with.
Buhari was elected two months ago and met on Monday with President Barack Obama.
Meanwhile, suspected Boko Haram insurgents burnt at least six children and three adults during an attack on a village in northern Cameroon, officials and witnesses said on Tuesday.
At least 11 others were injured when gunmen torched more than 300 homes in the village of Kamouna, which borders Nigeria, on Monday. — AFP
Online Reporter