ECOWAS seeks assistance for Nigeria in fight against Boko Haram

Yamoussoukro, Cote d'Ivoire (PANA) - The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has urged member states and the international community to assist Nigeria in its efforts to combat the violent Islamic sect Boko Haram.

PANA reports that the call was made in Yamoussoukro, Cote d'Ivoire, at the 41st Ordinary Summit of ECOWAS held 28-29 June.

Leaders of the 15-member bloc strongly condemned the terrorist aggression being perpetrated by the sect, and directed the ECOWAS Commission to participate in the efforts to halt the terrorist aggression.

Boko Haram, which means Western education is sin in the local Hausa language, has killed over 1,200 since 2009, when it launched its violent campaign aimed at imposing the Islamic Sharia law on the predominantly-Muslim north, among other objectives.

The terror attacks by the sect have continued despite the efforts by the Nigerian government, including the deployment of troops to the affected region and the imposition of emergency rule on the worst-hit areas.

Last month, attacks on churches in northern Kaduna state triggered reprisal attacks by Christians and raised the spectre of religious warfare in Africa's most populous state, which is almost equally divided between Muslims and Christians.
-0- PANA SEG 2July2012