Boko Haram: Chad to launch 'heavily armed' anti-terror push in Niger

Chad will send troops to Niger to help in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists, after a recent deadly attack left 30 Nigerien soldiers dead. About 2,000 "heavily armed" Chadian troops will be deployed to the neighbouring country, a military source told news agency AFP.

The Nigerian troops clashed with the militants in the town of Bosso - situated on the border with Nigeria - on Friday (3 June) night. Two Nigerian soldiers are also believed to have been killed, in what is considered the deadliest attack in Niger since April 2015. The attack saw at least 74 people, including 28 civilians, killed at Lake Chad's Karamga island.

Bosso's mayor claimed the town was captured by the militants on Monday (6 June), but the Nigerian government denied the incident and claimed the town was "completely under control." At least 50,000 people have fled Bosso since Friday 3 June, according to estimates made by the UN High Commissioner For Refugees (UNHCR).

Chad attack — Chadian customs officers inspect cars on the Chad-Cameroon border Getty

Regional offensive

Niger and Chad have teamed up as part of an ongoing regional offensive against Boko Haram, which primarily targets north-eastern Nigeria, with sporadic attacks also occurring in neighbouring nations and other parts of Nigeria.

The task force consists of 8,700 troops from Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Benin. The group has scored some successes, such as the recapture of several territories and the release of thousands of civilians held captive.

Although Nigeria's President, Muhammadu Buhari, declared a technical victory over the insurgents in December 2015, Boko Haram has continued to carry out attacks with security experts warning underlyin g issues such as disenfranchisement, poverty and strong links with the Islamic State (Isis) all continue to pose major threats to stability in the region.

In 2015, both Chad and Niger declared a state of emergency in areas affected by attacks blamed on the Islamist rebels.

Who are Nigeria's Boko Haram terrorists?

Boko Haram, which has renamed itself Iswap, fights against Western influence in Nigeria and aims to impose its version of Sharia law throughout occupied territories.

The militants launch attacks in Nigeria and neighbouring countries in a bid to take control of more territory. Three Nigerian states − Adamawa, Borno and Yobe − have been under a state of emergency since May 2013.

Boko Haram has killed more than 20,000 people since 2009 and was deemed the world's deadliest terror group, surpassing its ally, Islamic State (Isis/Daesh), in November 2015. Nigeria has also become the world's third most terrorised country as a result of the group's violent insurgency.