Nigerien president vows to defeat Boko Haram

Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou over the weekend vowed to defeat Nigeria's Islamist sect Boko Haram.

The president was speaking when he visited the country's southeast region of Diffa, near the border with Nigeria, which was a target of numerous Boko Haram attacks in recent weeks.

The attacks left at least 15 Nigerien soldiers dead, while 280 Boko Haram fighters were killed. About 160 other sect members were arrested.

For the last one week, calm has returned to the town which has been totally surrounded by the Nigerien defense and security forces.

Addressing Nigerien soldiers currently fighting against Boko Haram, Issoufou said "we shall win this war because you are professional soldiers who are courageous, brave and commanded by officers who have demonstrated their capacity in Niger and elsewhere."

He said the government will continue increasing the number of troops and offering them adequate training as well as modern equipments.

At the moment, Nigerien troops fighting against Boko Haram in the southeast parts of Niger are being assisted by Chadian, U.S. and French troops.

While going through Diffa, the Nigerien president thanked the population for their courage and continued collaboration with the country's army, and urged those who had fled from their homes to return. Endi