Thank you U.K. United Kingdom approves N14b to assist Nigeria in war against Boko Haram

United Kingdom approves N14b to assist Nigeria in war against Boko Haram

Cameroon's government says the multinational joint forces fighting Boko Haram have arrested five leaders of the extremist group and freed dozens of women and children held captive.

Boko Haram's current, almost seven-year insurgency has spilled beyond Nigeria's borders.

Buhari said the European Union and others had pledged 916 million euros (US$1.035 billion) to help rebuild Nigeria from the impacts of the Islamic militant group, which among other things has displaced more than 2 million people in the country's northeast.

"If nothing is done in three months all the zone controlled or claimed by Boko Haram today will be under water and we will have to wait till March 2017", he said.

Nigeria has made good progress against a weakened Boko Haram and driven them out of many territories, Hollande told reporters Saturday in Abuja, the capital.

French President Francois Hollande and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari agreed to strengthen military cooperation and work with the West African country's neighbours in an stepped-up effort to crush Boko Haram.

Hollande said France a year ago gave 17 million euros in aid and it was "vital that the global community does more", announcing the creation of a specific "Lake Chad Initiative" through his country's development agency.