Buhari travels to Niger to discuss Boko Haram strategy

President Muhammadu Buhari is making his first official visit to Niger, a key ally against Islamist insurgents Boko Haram.

The former military ruler, who took office last week, is making the trip to discuss a regional offensive against the militant group, which has caused havoc in northern Nigeria and neighbouring states.

Niger, Chad and Cameroon have all been helping Nigeria retake territory lost to Boko Haram in recent months.

Buhari promised at his inauguration that he would tackle the extremist group "head-on", after it displaced 1.5 million civilians and carried out hundreds of abductions since beginning its campaign to create an Islamic state in 2009, the BBC reported.

After one day in Niger, Buhari will continue on to Chad where he will meet the country's president Idriss Deby, who has previously been critical of Nigeria's handling of Boko Haram.

Boko Haram Nigeria

At least 34 people were killed in two different attacks by Boko Haram at the weekend (Emmanuel Braun/Reuters)

Last month Deby said the regional fightback had been obstructed by poor co-ordination between the Chadian and Nigerian armies.

While Chad, Cameroon and Niger have, for the most part, remained within their own territories to contain the Boko Haram threat, in March around 200 vehicles crossed into north east Nigeria to open a new front against the group.

Who are Nigeria's Boko Haram terrorists?

Boko Haram fights against western influence in Nigeria and aims to impose its version of Sharia law in the country. The group declared an Islamic caliphate in Gwoza, along the Cameroon border, in August 2014.

Boko Haram has raided several cities in the north of the country in a bid to take control of more land.

Three states − Adamawa, Borno and Yobe − have been under a state of emergency since May 2013, due to Boko Haram's attacks. (Photo: Reuters)

On 2 June the militant group attacked Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, after Nuhari announced the Nigerian Army would move its military headquarters into the north east of the country, Boko Haram's heartland.

At least 34 people were killed in two different attacks on 30-31 May in the capital.

Plans by the African Union to send a 7,500-strong multinational force to tackle Boko Haram remain in limbo after they were approved in January.

International Business Times

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What Gov Ugwuanyi Did On First Day In Office

The Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on the first day in office announced that his government would pay the hospital bills of 19 nursing mothers at the maternity ward and two others in the surgery and gynecology wards of the Enugu State University of  Science and Technology (ESUT) Teaching Hospital.

Governor Ugwuanyi who took an inspection tour of some parts  of Abakpa Nike, Ogbete Main Market, the ESUT Teaching Hospital, Park Lane, Enugu, and National Grammar School Nike, Enugu, said he was committed to the welfare of the people.

Ugwuanyi  who was conducted round the hospital wards by the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Gabriel Njeze, said that his administration would ensure that Enugu State is a preferred destination in the healthcare delivery services in Nigeria.

He commended the management of the hospital for their efforts to look after the patients and urged them to double efforts in complimenting government determination to improve healthcare of the people.

An enthusiastic crowd of residents and traders from Abakpa Timber Shed and Ogbete Main Market received Governor Ugwuanyi .

He told the traders that the purpose of his visit was to meet with them, thank them for their support and also inspect the roads in the markets.

He described the condition of the Nike road and Nike Lake road bye-pass as very deplorable and assured them that in no distant time reconstruction work would be commenced on the road.

Daily Independent