Parliament has authorized the contribution of 750 soldiers to the regional force and a state of emergency declared along the border with Nigeria.
President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger has vowed to defeat Boko Haram whose militants have already carried out four attacks in the country in less than a week. Arguing that Boko Haram is not a Muslim organization, Mahamadou Issoufou said, “All the Nigeriawxns know that these guys are not Muslims. On the contrary, what they are doing is not helping Islam," BBC quoted him as having said on the morrow of Boko Haram attacks in Niger’s town of Bosso and later on in Diffa on Monday, February 9, 2015. Reports say, while launching attacks against Niger, Boko Haram vowed to therein create an Islamic State.
After Parliament on February 9 unanimously passed a bill authorizing Niger to contribute 750 soldiers to the regional force created to fight Boko Haram militants, government on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 declared a 15-day state of emergency in Diffa town on the border with Nigeria after it came under several attacks by Boko Haram militant group. "The state of emergency was declared in Diffa region for a period of 15 days starting from Tuesday midnight," World Bulletin reported quoting a government statement over State radio.
The statement further explains that, "The measure would grant additional powers to the security forces, including the right to carry out house searches at day and night.” Government has also banned the use of motorcycles in Diffa, a common mode of transport, to prevent infiltration by the militants.
Niger’s Defence Minister Karidjo Mahamadou told Parliament last Monday that, "The situation is very serious in Diffa, it is dramatic. We just learned that people are trying to leave the town." National Assembly Speaker Amadou Salifou said that there had been a "collective recognition of the gravity of the situation," the State news service quoted. The Red Cross in Diffa city said that eight people had died in attacks on a vegetable market and on a prison holding Boko Haram militants and sympathizers.
