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                    Niger Repels Boko Haram Attack on Prison

   by VOA News

   Fighters with Nigeria's Boko Haram militants attacked a prison in Niger
   on Monday, making their third cross-border attack in the past four
   days.

   Niger's army repelled the attack in the southeastern town of Diffa
   after several hours of overnight fighting, witnesses and military
   sources say.  It was not immediately clear how many people were killed
   or wounded, nor whether any prisoners escaped.

   Niger's parliament is set to vote Monday on a measure authorizing
   troops to enter Nigeria and join the regional offensive against Boko
   Haram.

   Forces from Chad and Cameroon have already clashed with the Islamist
   extremist group, which has killed thousands and controls dozens of
   towns in northeastern Nigeria.

   Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission cited the security
   situation as its reason for delaying presidential and parliamentary
   elections for six weeks until March 28.

   The opposition All Progressives Congress protested the decision, and
   U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement that Washington
   is "deeply disappointed" by the postponement.

   Security - key election issue

   President Goodluck Jonathan has come under intense criticism in Nigeria
   for failing to end the Boko Haram insurgency. Political observers have
   said he and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are in danger of
   losing in the polls. Jonathan faces former military ruler Muhammadu
   Buhari.

   Chad said its forces killed more than 200 Boko Haram fighters during
   fighting in the Nigerian town of Gambaru last week.

   Cameroon said more than 100 people were killed when Boko Haram fighters
   counter-attacked into the border town of Fotocol.

   On Saturday, delegates from Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Benin
   solidified plans to create a regional force to fight the militants.
   The plan calls for deployment of up to 8,750 soldiers.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/boko-haram-attacks-niger-prison/26347
   30.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/boko-haram-attacks-niger-prison/2634730.html