LEGISLATORS in Niger Republic have voted unanimously to send troops to Nigeria to join the  regional fight against Islamist extremist group Boko Haram as part of the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

 Niger Republic is one of the main members of the MNJTF, which has put together a 7,500-striomng force to provide a regional response to the Boko Haram menace. Already, Chad has offered 2,500 soldiers to the force and with the passing of this resolution, the Nigeriens will be boosting it with a further 750 soldiers.

 Lawmaker Mohamed Ben Omar, said: The resolution was passed unanimously. All 102 lawmakers present voted favourably.”

 Another legislator added that the resolution authorises the country to send some 750 troops to Nigeria. Despite being home to thousands of refugees from the conflict, Niger Republic mainly been spared the violence until last week, with a number of attacks carried out on its territory in recent days.

 In total, the African Union will be sending 8,700 personnel to Nigeria as part of its MNJTF contingent. It will be made up of soldiers, police and civilians as part of a renewed effort to end the Boko Haram insurgency once and for all.