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New attacks as France hosts summit on Boko Haram threat Africa leaders declare 'war' on Nigeria Boko Haram
(about 1 hour later)
West African leaders are meeting in Paris to discuss the threat posed by Nigeria's Boko Haram militants. African leaders meeting in Paris have agreed to wage "war" on Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamic militants.
French President Francois Hollande, who is hosting the summit, said the group threatened the whole region and had "proven links" with al-Qaeda. French President Hollande, who hosted the summit, said regional powers had pledged to share intelligence and co-ordinate action against the group.
Thousands of people have been killed by Boko Haram in recent years. Last month it abducted 223 schoolgirls in north-eastern Nigeria, where it is based. Last month it abducted 223 schoolgirls in north-eastern Nigeria, where it is based. Fresh attacks were reported in Nigeria and Cameroon overnight.
Thousands of people have been killed by Boko Haram in recent years.
The Paris summit brought together Mr Hollande, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, and their counterparts from Benin, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.
As it opened, Mr Hollande called Boko Haram a "major threat to West and Central Africa", and said it had links with al-Qaeda's North-African arm and "other terrorist organisations".
After the meeting, he said participants had agreed on a "global and regional action plan".
This included sharing intelligence, monitoring borders and co-ordinating action, including possible operations involving French troops in the region, Mr Hollande said.
President Idriss Deby of Chad said regional powers would "tackle this situation head on" and wage "total war on Boko Haram".
Representatives from the UK, US and EU also took part in the meeting.
Mr Jonathan was due on Friday to visit the town where the girls were seized. However the trip was cancelled for security reasons.
Boko Haram released a video earlier this week showing more than 100 of the girls and offering an exchange for prisoners.
The girls, who include Christians and Muslims, were seized on 14 April from their school hostel in the north-east Nigerian town of Chibok in Borno state.
President Jonathan has ruled out negotiations over their possible release, officials say.
As Saturday's summit began, news of fresh violence emerged.As Saturday's summit began, news of fresh violence emerged.
In the far north of Cameroon, near the Nigerian border, attackers targeted a camp run by a Chinese engineering company. Ten Chinese workers are missing and one person was injured.In the far north of Cameroon, near the Nigerian border, attackers targeted a camp run by a Chinese engineering company. Ten Chinese workers are missing and one person was injured.
There are reports that one person was killed.There are reports that one person was killed.
In Nigeria itself, 11 people were reported killed in a separate attack in village a few hours' drive from the Cameroonian border.In Nigeria itself, 11 people were reported killed in a separate attack in village a few hours' drive from the Cameroonian border.
A relative of one of the victims said a woman and a child were among the dead.A relative of one of the victims said a woman and a child were among the dead.
As the Paris meeting opened, Mr Hollande called Boko Haram a "major threat to West and Central Africa", and said it had links with al-Qaeda's North-African arm and "other terrorist organisations".
The summit is also being attended by Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and his counterparts from neighbouring Benin, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.
Representatives from the UK, US and EU are also taking part.
Border disputes
A statement before the summit said the leaders would "discuss fresh strategies for dealing with the security threat posed by Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in West and Central Africa".
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague told the BBC from Paris that Cameroon and Nigeria had an important role to play in pooling their intelligence.
However he said they had "not enjoyed strong positive relations in recent years".
Boko Haram has some of its bases in the Mandara mountain range that straddles the border. But the frontier has been disputed in at least two places in recent years.
Mr Jonathan was due on Friday to visit to the town where the girls were seized. However the trip was cancelled for security reasons.
Boko Haram released a video earlier this week showing more than 100 of the girls and offering an exchange for prisoners.
The girls, a mixture of Christians and Muslims, were seized on 14 April from their school hostel in the north-east Nigerian town of Chibok in Borno state.
President Jonathan has ruled out negotiations over their possible release, officials say.
Mr Hollande discussed the kidnapping on Friday in a phone call with US President Barack Obama.
The safe return of the girls was now one of America's main priorities, with US specialist teams and drones being involved in the rescue operation, the White House said.
France is also providing Nigeria with expert assistance to help release the girls.