China to Support Nigeria in Fight Against Islamist Insurgents

(Bloomberg) -- China signed a memorandum of understanding with Nigeria Thursday, offering its support to the West African nation’s security forces as they battle an Islamist insurgency in the country’s northeast, the army said.

No details on the nature of the assistance were provided in the emailed statement, signed by defense spokesman Tukur Gusau.

Boko Haram, a faction of which is allied to Islamic State’s so-called West Africa Province, has waged a decade-long campaign of violence to impose its version of Shariah law on Africa’s most populous country. Its militants have stepped up attacks in recent months, including on army bases, ahead of February elections in which President Muhammadu Buhari is seeking a second term.

To contact the reporter on this story: Michael Olukayode in Maiduguri at molugbode1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Alastair Reed at areed12@bloomberg.net, Jacqueline Mackenzie, Paul Richardson

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