World Watch Monitor: Nigeria is 'at war' with Boko Haram

The Nigerian President's spokesman has said that the conflict with Boko Haram is a "war situation".

Speaking to Lagos-based Channels TV on February 28, Doyin Okupe said: "We are dealing with a very, very serious enemy. We are engaged in a war that has been internationalised."

The statement appears to contradict President Goodluck Jonathan's assertions that the government is winning the battle against the Islamist insurgents, and that normality will return by May 2014.

The President has also accused its eastern neighbour, Cameroon, of not cooperating by failing to allow cross-border pursuits of Boko Haram members, who he claims return to Cameroon after attacks in Nigeria.

Last Sunday, one soldier and six Boko Haram members were killed after an assault in northern Cameroon, local media reported.


The President claims Boko Haram has set up bases in the sparsely populated areas of Nigeria's north-eastern neighbours Cameroon, Chad and Niger. Part of Nigeria's 1,600 km border with Cameroon was closed on Feb. 23. Keep reading