Nigeria and the countries surrounding it ― Cameroon, Chad and Niger ― have entered into an agreement to form a joint front comprising 2,800 soldiers to fight exclusively against Boko Haram insurgents.
The defence ministers of the nations agreed to delegate 700 troops each to make up the force.
According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Niger’s Defence Minister, Karidio Mahamadou described the insurgency as a curse which the nations have jointly determined to eradicate.
Though the Boko Haram insurgents have their primary base in Nigeria, they are known for several cross-border activities.
For example, cars and trucks loaded with goods have been reported stranded on the Nigeria-Cameroun highway because the bridge serving as key transport link between north-eastern Nigeria and Cameroon in Gamboru Gala was blown off by men of the Boko Haram group.
The regional defence ministers of these neighbouring cooperating nations met in the capital city of Niger republic, Niamey, on Wednesday to hold further discussions on the growing threats of the terror group.
