Africa agrees to send 7,500 troops to fight Boko Haram

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — An African Union official says
African leaders have agreed to send 7,500 troops to fight the Boko
Haram insurgency in northeast Nigeria.
The head of the African Union's Peace and Security Council, Samil
Chergui, said Saturday the move came after the council urged heads
of state to endorse the deployment of troops from five West African
countries to fight the terror group.
African leaders who are members of the 54-nation African Union are
meeting in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa for a two-day summit
that ends Saturday.
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon earlier said he support the AU's
move to send a force to fight Boko Haram. Boko Haram is increasing
its attacks as Nigeria prepares for Feb. 14 elections. Thousands have
been killed in the 5-year insurgency.