Nigerian to lead multinational force fighting Boko Haram

Lagos - Nigeria has named a general
to lead the multinational force
fighting Boko Haram, taking over the
command from Chad.

The appointment comes soon after
the inauguration of Nigerian
President Muhammadu Buhari and
the day before he is scheduled to
visit N'Djamena, the capital of Chad
and the force's headquarters.
A Defense Ministry statement
Wednesday said Maj. Gen. Tukur
Yusuf Buratai has already assumed
his new duties commanding troops
from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and
Niger.
It said his appointment was agreed
to by contributing nations and has
the backing of France, Britain and
the United States.
The multinational army this year has
driven Nigeria's home-grown Islamic
extremists from northeastern towns
where they had declared an Islamic
caliphate. The insurgents continue
hit-and-run attacks and bombings
from a northeastern forest
stronghold.