US offers Niger ops centre to fight Boko Haram

The United States turned over a communications and operations centre to the Niger army on Monday to help the African nation battle Boko Haram, a statement said.

The planning and operations control centre, worth $16.5 million (14.4 million euros), is designed to help Niger forces sychronise its operations through improved communications, US Ambassador Eric Whitaker said during the handover ceremony.

Niger has taken on an important geostrategic role in the US fight against Islamist extremist groups in Africa, and the centre known as a C2 Node comprises two tactical operations units equipped with sophisticated communications material.