Britain, Nigeria sign defence pact to counter Boko Haram

Britain and Nigeria signed a security and defence agreement during a one-day visit by Prime Minister Theresa May today as Africa's most populous country struggles to defeat Boko Haram extremists and others linked to the Islamic State organisation.

The British prime minister is on a three-country Africa visit with a large business delegation as Britain seeks to boost economic ties ahead of a bumpy exit from the European Union in March.

May also visited South Africa, another of the continent's top economies, and her next stop is Kenya.

After meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, May said the countries will work together on "shared security threats like Boko Haram and human trafficking."
Last week, Buhari attracted headlines when he told troops in northwestern Zamfara state that "as your commander-in-chief, I want you to be as ruthless as humanly possible" against bandits in the region. "Nigerians deserve some peace."