RECENT reports from Borno State indicate that about 6,000 Boko Haram fighters are encircled by soldiers from the Multi National Joint Task

Force (MNJTF) around Madagali and Gulak and

are negotiating a possible surrender as the

noose tightens.

Since 2009, Boko Haram has been waging a

brutal war against Nigeria in a bid to establish

an Islamic caliphate and over the last year has

enjoyed substantial success on the battlefield. It

scored military success, making sweeping gains

across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States,

capturing 13 local government areas.

Alarmed by the raging success of the terrorists,

Nigeria, Niger Republic, Chad and Cameroon

decided to form the MNJTF that would enable to

cooperate militarily. Over the last week, the

MNJTF has enjoyed significant success,

particularly with the arrival of battle-hardened

Chadian troops who over the weekend reclaimed

the town of Gamboru-Ngala near the Chad

border with Nigeria.