Benin Republic Backs Nigerian Army with 800 Troops To Support The Fight Against Boko Haram

Republic of Benin President, Thomas Boni Yayi has announced his decision to back Nigerian army with his troops in combating insurgents, Boko Haram.

According to a report in Vanguard, President Yayi will be supporting the Nigerian government with a total of 800 troops to join a new multinational force tasked with fighting Boko Haram militants.

This is coming after the President's meeting with Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday, August 1, 2015 during his one day visit.

After a visit to Cameroon earlier this week to discuss the fight against the Islamist group, Buhari was in Cotonou to attend celebrations marking Benin’s 55 years of independence.

Boni Yayi told reporters after a meeting with Buhari that Benin will show “solidarity” with its “brothers in arms” in the region by sending “a contingent of 800 men… to permanently combat these outlaws”.

Troops for the new multinational force, which includes soldiers from Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad as well as Benin, were set to be deployed at any time, according to its commander Major General Iliya Abbah on Saturday, August 1, 2015.

The multinational force, which is made up of 8,700 troops and headquartered in Chad, is expected to help with better coordination of the military in combating and conquering the militants.