Breaking News: ECOWAS Warn President Goodluck Jonathan, Gen Buhari

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has reportedly issued a dire warning to President Goodluck Jonathan and Gen Muhammadu Buhari ahead of the country’s elections.

ECOWAS cautioned President Jonathan and the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Gen. Buhari to desist from using hate speech capable of overheating the polity.

This was made known to ThisDay State House correspondents on Monday by the commissioner for political affairs, peace and security at the commission, Salamatu Suleiman.

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U.S. army to provide equipment, intelligence to fight Boko Haram

The United States military will provide communications equipment and intelligence to help African nations in the fight against Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram, the commander of U.S. Special Forces operations in Africa said.

 West African military commanders have long complained that cross-border operations against Islamist groups, from al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in Mali to Boko Haram in Nigeria, have been obstructed by lack of compatible communications equipment, making it hard to swap information and coordinate.

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Train Across Nigeria Shows President Jonathan's Mixed Rule

It’s Friday evening and a group of Nigerian train staff scream at each other as they battle to get power working on a revived cross-country service from Lagos to Kano, the nation’s two largest cities.

Rolling out of Nigeria’s southern commercial hub more than eight hours late, plain-clothed policemen cock their AK-47 assault rifles as they try to push back young men launching themselves onto the carriages to hitch illegal rides as the train chugs through Lagos’ shantytowns.

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Boko Haram issues new threat against Niger, Chad

The Nigeria-based extremist group Boko Haram on Monday threatened neighboring countries Niger and Chad, warning the fighters were prepared to carry out suicide bombings in the countries sending troops to help fight the militants.

The warning came as leaders from Niger and other countries in the region gathered in Cameroon's capital to finalize plans for a joint offensive against the militants who have stepped up their attacks in recent weeks.

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Nigeria Elections 2015: Buhari Draws Crowds In Boko Haram Stronghold Of Borno; He Promises To Liberate Nigerians

Nigerian presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari drew thousands of supporters Monday to a campaign rally in Borno state, a stronghold of Boko Haram insurgents, where he pledged to wipe out the militant group. 

Buhari, from the All Progressives Congress political party, packed popular Ramat Square in Maiduguri, and was joined by Borno Gov. Kashim Shettima and other party leaders from across the country, according to local media reports.

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African allies claim gains against Boko Haram

Nigerian troops, backed by air strikes, have reclaimed the towns of Monguno and Marte from Boko Haram, according to a military statement. Meanwhile, Cameroon says its army has killed more than 80 Boko Haram soldiers and arrested 1,000 of their supporters.

Niger also claimed on Monday to have arrested 160 people with links to Boko Haram since 6 February. Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger recently formed a military coalition against the Islamist militants.

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