Germany Announces Equipment Support To Nigeria In Fight Against Extremist Group

Germany has announced a package of about 4.2 million euros to Nigeria to help the country in fight against Islamic extremist group Boko Haram.

The support will be in the form of equipments including mine detectors, radar stations and also a mobile field clinic.

Boko Haram gained control in the Muslim populated northern Nigeria in 2009 and since then the group has killed tens of thousands of people.

German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen said Sunday while on a visit to the country the fresh support is a part of the larger initiative to stem flows of migrants from the country to Europe.

About 2.6 million Nigerians have been displayed in less than a decade due to insurgency by extremist group.

She said the policy of Germany is to encourage partner countries in crisis regions to help them achieve security and stability in the country. Until now the country has allocated about 230 million euros in 2016 and 2017 to Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Tunisia and Jordan.

The minister stayed in Nigerian capital Abuja Sunday night due to computer problem in her plane. She will be visiting Mali on Monday to meet the German soldiers stationed there on a training mission.