Boko Haram affected areas

For nearly three years the Nigerian government has stuck to its claim that it has Фtechnically defeatedХ Boko Haram. Recently though, the terror group demonstrated its renewed audacity with strikes at hard (military) targets.

Conflict and climate change have plunged the Lake Chad region into one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. An international conference in Berlin aims to raise more support for the millions of people in need of aid.

Boko Haram, the Nigerian jihadist group infamous for its bombings and abductions, is undergoing something of a makeover. A key faction that has the backing of so-called Islamic State has renounced its old blood-soaked ways and is trying instead to win hearts and minds in a new strategic twist to a nine-year insurgency that has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions.

The intensity of the conflict against Boko Haram in CameroonХs Far North has diminished, though the movement still poses a threat and the humanitarian situation remains precarious. Long-term stability hinges on how the government resolves two principal security challenges: first, dealing with former combatants and other Boko Haram members; and, secondly, determining the future of community self-defence, or vigilante, groups.

The ongoing terror threat in Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon has led the governments of the Lake Chad region to enact numerous security restrictions in affected areas. While these restrictions are meant to improve security for all, some affect civilians negatively Р particularly regarding livelihoods.

United Nations Secretary-General Ant—nio Guterres has condemned SaturdayХs attacks in northeastern Nigeria by suspected Boko Haram insurgents targeting Eid al-Fitr celebrations. According to media reports, blasts killed dozens of people in the Damboa Local Government area of Borno State.

People in two of northeastern NigeriaХs six states say militants with ties to Boko Haram are still in control of areas despite the federal governmentХs unwavering stance that it has defeated the Jihadist militant group.

NigeriaХs government is in talks with Islamist militant group Boko Haram about a possible ceasefire with the ultimate aim of securing a permanent cessation of hostilities, the countryХs information minister said on Sunday.

Nigeria's presidency said on Monday it plans to negotiate for the release of 110 girls abducted from a school in the northeastern town of Dapchi last month, rather than use a military operation to free them by force. Й Nigeria is grappling with an insurgency by Boko Haram that has killed at least 20,000 people since 2009. Members of the group are suspected of the latest kidnapping, on Feb. 19, in the state of Yobe.

Suspected Boko Haram militants killed at least 11 people including three aid workers in an attack on a military barracks in NigeriaХs northeastern Borno state late on Thursday, according to two security reports seen by Reuters.