Nigeria denies recruiting mercenaries to combat Boko Haram

The Nigerian Defense Headquarters on Thursday denied reports claiming that foreign mercenaries would be used to fight Boko Haram.

Local media had reported that the military has resorted to using mercenaries in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram militants.

Reacting to the report, defense spokesperson Rabe Abubakar told Xinhua on Thursday that the story is "mischievous" and "far from the truth."

He said the Nigerian Armed Forces has the capacity and capability to clear the remnants of the terrorists from the country.

"It is not necessary or logical to go for mercenaries after the battle of Boko Haram insurgent had been won," he added.

"The pocket of attacks witnessed in the last few days by the fleeing Boko Haram terrorist are isolated cases, though regrettable, that do not call for serious concern as it is not uncommon worldwide for such occurrence in any area that was once infested by terrorist groups," the spokesperson said.

The defense spokesperson said the unprecedented successes recorded against the deadly Boko Haram sect by the Nigerian military without seeking external force is there for all to see.

Boko Haram, which launched its insurgency in Nigeria in 2009 aiming to create an Islamic state, has been blamed for some 20,000 deaths. Endit