Boko Haram: Nigeria Asks Francophone Neighbours for Help

Nigeria issued an appeal to Cameroon and its other Francophone neighbours in the continent on Tuesday for help in the battle against militants and religious insurgents.

On the day suspected Boko Haram insurgents murdered 43 students in a school in Yobe, Nigeria’s information minister Labaran Maku warned that further attacks could harm French interests in West Africa if left unchecked.

“What we need is international cooperation from the French, from the French-speaking west African countries to work together to deal with this problem before it becomes a major problem for France, for western interests operating in west Africa,” Labaran Maku said.

 The comments came ahead of a planned visit by French president Francois Hollande on Thursday and Friday to join in Nigeria’s centenary celebrations and also attend an international conference on security in Africa.

Maku said much of the problem stemmed from Nigeria’s border which it shares with Cameroon and called for “increased partnership” with its northern neighbour.

He described Cameroon’s participation in the international military joint task force policing the borders – comprising troops from Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon – as weak, making the northern part of the border a safe haven for the insurgents.

“[Boko Haram] strike; when we pursue them, they retreat into Cameroon,” complained the minister.

Nigeria last week sealed a portion of its north-eastern border with Cameroon, situated in Adamawa State, to block the movement of insurgents and other criminal groups.