Elite forces from the US, Britain and other western countries have begun training African Union troops in Chad.

Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon and Benin have joined forces in a new coalition with the goal of wiping out Boko Haram.

The military exercises are being billed a warm-up for an offensive against the insurgent group, which has killed thousands in a six-year war in and around northern Nigeria.

RT @StateDept: President Obama at #CVESummit: We must remain unwavering in our fight against terrorist organizations. http://t.co/6CsEdX0iRu— U.S. Mission Nigeria (@USEmbassyAbuja) February 19, 2015


Efforts are intensifying to capture the group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau. The five-nation alliance claims it successfully beat back Boko Haram militants in the strategically-positioned border town of Baga, north east Nigeria, on Saturday (February 21).

Captain Mahmat Madaga was optimistic about the Union’s mission.
“Boko Haram is a militia made up of civilians,” he said. “They don’