France to help Nigeria fight Boko Haram
France has pledged to help Nigeria in its fight against Islamist terror group Boko Haram.
The two countries’ defence ministers have signed a security agreement which includes arms procurement.
This is seen as a huge boost for the Nigerian military’s fight against Boko Haram as it tries to end the militants’ seven-year insurgency.
The West African nation has in the past had difficulties in acquiring arms because of reported human rights abuses.
President Muhammadu Buhari however promised to improve the military’s human right’s record.
France agreed to help equip Nigeria’s elite land and marine forces, a statement issued after the ministers’ meeting in Abuja said.
The two nations also agreed on areas of training for the Nigerian forces.