African nations have pulled their forces together to combat Boko Haram in recent weeks. The coalition of Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, and Chad have employed close to 9,000 troops in an offensive against Boko Haram. A Niger police official reported on Wednesday that over 500 Boko Haram militants were killed in eastern Niger since the start of the offensive last month.
Boko Haram began rising six years ago, and in that time the militants have spread throughout Northeastern Nigeria as well as the bordering territories in Niger and Chad. The reported number of Boko Haram militants killed is expected to be much higher than the 500 because of the air strikes and land operations conducted by Niger and Chad.
With elections in Nigeria approaching, President Goodluck Jonathan hopes to restore peace, or at least the image of peace. Many Nigerians claim that the government has not done much to combat Boko Haram in the past, which led to the deaths and abductions of thousands.
In addition, there have been various reports that South African mercenaries are fighting against Boko Haram in Northeastern Nigeria. According to an anonymous Nigerian government official, the mercenaries have been crucial in the fight against the Boko Haram militants. These mercenaries attack the militants in the evening, when the darkness allows them to use their night-vision equipment.
Though Nigerian officials publicly claim that the Nigerian forces are defeating the extremist group, others state that the mercenaries are the actual effective forces. According to a Western diplomat, the mercenaries eliminate Boko Haram militants at night. During the morning, the Nigerian military comes through the area claiming victory.
Many believe that the use of mercenaries was decided in order to help boost chances a reelection for President Goodluck Jonathan. Some claim that the mercenaries have turned the tide of the war against Boko Haram. However, the Nigerian government has not expressed any knowledge about the use of mercenaries.
