Full Scale Operation Against Boko Haram?

Nigeria's President Orders Full Scale Offense On Boko Haram, by Tim Cocks, Reuters





"Nigeria's president said on Thursday he had ordered "a full-scale operation" against Boko Haram Islamist militants and sought to reassure parents of 219 schoolgirls being held by the group that their children would be freed.

"Speaking on Nigeria's Democracy Day, Goodluck Jonathan said he had authorized security forces to use any means necessary under the law to ensure that Boko Haram, which operates in the country's northeast, is defeated.

'"I am determined to protect our democracy, our national unity and our political stability, by waging a total war against terrorism," Jonathan said in a televised speech.

"It was not immediately clear what such an offensive might entail, given that the northeast of the country has been under a state of emergency and a full scale military operation for a year. Nigerian forces are also hugely overstretched.

Chad's President Idriss Deby also used the phrase "total war" after neighboring West African states met in Paris in mid-May to seek a common strategy to fight the militants.

"'I assure you that Nigeria will be safe again and that these thugs will be driven away. It will not happen overnight, but we will spare no effort to achieve this goal," Jonathan said..."

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