News / Nigeria

UN urges Nigeria to intensify fight against Boko Haram

Saturday, 14 February 2015 8:50 AM [ Last Update: Saturday, 14 February 2015 8:50 AM ]

Boko Haram Takfiri militants (File photo)

The United Nations has called on the Nigerian military to step up efforts to combat the Boko Haram Takfiri group, which is wreaking havoc on the West African country and its neighbors.

The international body expects the Nigerian army to do more in the fight against Boko Haram, said Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the UN Special Representative for West Africa, on Friday.

Abuja needed "to demonstrate greater resolve than has been the case so far in this fight against a serious enemy, Boko Haram," Chambas added.

The envoy further expressed hope that Nigeria will unite around fighting the terror campaign after the country’s presidential and legislative elections, delayed until March 28.

The development comes as Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria and Benin pledged earlier in the week to create an 8,700-strong force to confront the threat from Boko Haram in the region.

Earlier on Friday, the Nigeria-based militants carried out their first attack inside neighboring Chad, killing at least five people.

Boko Haram, whose name means “Western education is forbidden,” says its goal is to overthrow the Nigerian government.

It has claimed responsibility for a number of deadly shooting attacks and bombings in various parts of Nigeria since the beginning of its operations in 2009, which have left over 13,000 people dead and 1.5 million displaced.

SSM/NN/HRB

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

www.presstv.co.uk