Nigeria steps up efforts to battle Boko Haram

Nigeria and neighboring countries now have in increased capacity to deal with Boko Haram and other terrorist groups, President Muhammadu Buhari said Friday.

Buhari stated this in Abuja, Nigeria's capital city at an audience with Mohammed Ibn Chambas, the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa.

The Nigerian leader hinged his remark on the formation of a stronger regional coalition.

The president reaffirmed his belief that the full activation and deployment of the Multi National Joint Task Force which had been established under the auspices of the Lake Chad Basin Commission would lead to the speedy defeat and elimination of Boko Haram.

He added that with the Command and Control Center of the Nigerian military now in Maiduguri, Borno, the morale of troops in the front-line states had improved significantly.

Earlier, Ibn Chambas commended President Buhari for his strong and positive actions against terrorism.

The United Nations envoy also welcomed President Buhari's successful visit to Cameroon and his reaffirmation of Nigeria's commitment to the peaceful resolution of all border issues with Cameroon.