African leaders declare ' total war' on Boko Haram in Nigeria

African leaders have agreed to wage 'war' on Islamic militant group in Nigeria Boko Haram.

The move comes as African leaders met in Paris headed by President Francois Hollande of France, who also hosted the summit.

Hollande said regional powers had pledged to share intelligence and co-ordinate action against the group, the BBC reports.

According to the report, last month Boko Haram abducted 223 schoolgirls in north-eastern Nigeria.

The Paris summit was attended by Hollande, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, and their counterparts from Benin, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.

Hollande said participants had agreed on a 'global and regional action plan,' which involved 'co-ordinating intelligence, sharing information, border surveillance, a military presence notably around Lake Chad and the capacity to intervene in case of danger,' the report said.

Cameroon's President Paul Biya said that they were here to declare war on Boko Haram.

Idriss Deby of Chad said it would be 'total war'.

Earlier, Hollande called Boko Haram a 'major threat to West and Central Africa'.