Niger says days of raids kill 280 Boko Haram extremists

(AP) — Niger’s defense ministry says several days of raids have killed more than 280 Boko Haram extremists near the border with Nigeria.

The statement says the land and air raids began on Dec. 28, with more than 200 extremists killed in airstrikes.

Nigeria in November held an urgent meeting with neighbors about what it called an extremist resurgence fueled by the new use of drones.

Niger’s statement says no troops were killed in the raids in its east. It notes that Nigeria “suffered a string of recent attacks on its military bases” and that the extremists had been reinvigorated.

Niger’s defense minister last month said he feared Boko Haram would launch renewed attacks from January, when the Komadougou-Yobe river which usually prevents border incursions begins to recede.