Nigeria Jonathan hopeful Buhari expects 'landslide victory'

Nigeria Jonathan hopeful Buhari expects 'landslide victory'

IN Abuja - Nigeria's APC candidate Muhammadu Buhari on Friday told Chat212 he was expecting to win next week's presidential election by a wide margin, despite talk of a close race.

 

The February 14 poll, in which he is challenging incumbent Goodluck Jonathan, has been seen as too close to call, leading to a possible run-off if neither man secures a first-round majority.

Read More

Boko Haram expands attack, targets Niger after assault on Cameroon

Fighters from the Islamic extremist group grow more bold.

The expansion of Boko Haram's reach came as neighboring countries are fighting back with ground troops and aircraft, with even greater military strikes by more countries planned. The U.S. strongly condemned the Boko Haram attacks and pledged continuing assistance to fight the militants.

Boko Haram has openly threatened to attack other countries taking part in the military effort to subdue their insurgency, blamed for 10,000 deaths over the past year. Cameroon, Niger, Chad and Benin all have pledged to send troops to fight Boko Haram, which has waged a five-year rebellion against the Nigerian government.

Read More

Niger troops and Chad air force help take on Boko Haram on friday

Niger troops and Chad air force help take on Boko Haram on friday

Niger troops and Chadian war planes fought off an attack on Friday on the Niger town of Bosso by Boko Haram militants whose insurgency is spreading from Nigeria to neighbouring states, military officials in Niger said.

The fighting took place in the southeastern region of Diffa, part of the border area where Chad has sent hundreds of troops to help Niger take on Boko Haram, the sources said.

Read More

Weapons stolen by Boko Haram recovers: Says Army Chief

Nigerian military recovers weapons stolen by Boko Haram

Militants had stolen arms, ammunition, and armored vehicles during an attack on a multinational military base last month. Their recovery by the Nigerian military marks the latest setback Boko Haram has experienced in recent days.

The Nigerian military announced Friday that weapons stolen by Boko Haram fighters last month have been reclaimed, amid the biggest offensive against the Islamist group in its more than five-year history.

Read More

First ever Niger beaten back Boko Haram attack

First time ever Niger beaten back Boko Haram attack

Niger beaten Boko Haram for the first time launched an attack in Niger on Friday, striking at the town of Bosso just across the border from Nigeria, witnesses said.

Fighting broke out around 9:00 am (0800 GMT) but troops pushed back the attack by the end of the morning, said Yacouba Soumana Gaoh, governor of the regional capital of Diffa. 

"Order has been restored," he told Chat212 at 1200 GMT.

"We could hear the sound of weapons all around the town, often very near our windows. There was the noise of heavy weapons and of light arms, making our houses shake," one resident told Chat212.

Read More

INEC’s Chairman Confirm Election Date After Saturday Meeting

INEC’s Chairman to Confirm Election Date After Saturday Meeting

Nigeria’s election agency will decide after a Saturday meeting with political parties if the country’s presidential ballot will go ahead on Feb. 14 as planned.

The Independent National Electoral Commission will “brief the nation on its decision with regard to whether or not the general elections will hold as currently scheduled,” Kayode Idowu, spokesman for the Abuja-based INEC, said in an e-mailed statement Friday.

Read More