Niger to deploy troops to Nigeria to battle Boko Haram

Niger plans to deploy troops to Nigeria within the framework of an emerging multi-nation fight against the Takfiri Boko Haram terror group after an assault by the militants left over 100 people dead.

The decision by Niger will facilitate the opening of a new northern front in the escalating regional fight against the terrorist group that killed more than 100, including 19 soldiers, in a Wednesday rampage in the Cameroonian town of Fotokol along the border with Nigeria.

During the attack, the Nigeria-based terrorists reportedly burned down three mosques and killed 31 worshippers who were praying.

The ambush on the town by Boko Haram forces took place just a day after neighboring Chad deployed its soldiers across the border to engage the Takfiri militants and recapture the Nigerian town of Gamboru.

This is while the Chadian army announced that its forces had killed over 200 Boko Haram terrorists during the battle.

"They (Boko Haram) attacked and burnt three mosques in the attack," said Fotokol community leader, Mele Mohammed, on Thursday.

"In the mosque, in the Tashangalau area, they killed 31 people who were praying." Mohammed added, adding, "Our consolation is that our attackers also suffered heavy casualties, especially when the fighter jets bombed them as they fled."

Niger's parliament is due to vote on Monday on the deployment of the nation’s troops to Nigeria for the battle against the notorious terrorists.

Meanwhile on Thursday, African and Western experts gathered in Cameroon's capital of Yaounde in a bid to come up with a combat strategy to counter the Takfiri militants.

Cameroon's Defense Minister Edgar Alain Mebe Ngo'o said the three-day meeting "amounts to a crucial, determining and decisive step in the war that the international community has decided to intensify against Boko Haram."

The development comes as Nigeria's military has been heavily criticized over its failure to rein in the Takfiri terrorists, who have escalated their terror campaign in the country’s northeast in the run-up to its February 14 presidential and parliamentary elections.

MFB/KA/SS

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir