‘Boko Haram Forced 2.2 Million People to Flee Their Homes’ – AU

Attacks by the Nigerian Islamist-militant group Boko Haram forced 2.2 million people to flee their homes, the African Union said.

Boko Haram have also “restricted movement, disrupted food supply and severely hindered access to basic services, and limiting agricultural activities,” the African Union Peace and Security Council said in a statement on the organization’s website. “In this respect, Council stresses the urgent need to expeditiously handle the dire humanitarian situation in order to adequately cater for internally displaced persons and refugees.”

Boko Haram has killed thousands of people during a six-year campaign to establish Islamic law in Africa’s biggest economy. The group was beaten back from territory it held early last year, but continues to carry out suicide bombings and hit-and-run attacks. The violence has spilled over into neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

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