Nigeria says regional operatives are helping fight militants, but in training, technical roles
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In this photo taken Monday March 9, 2015, Nigerian troops patrol in the north-eastern Nigeria city of Mubi, some 20 kms (14 miles) west of the Cameroon border. Nigerian troops recaptured Mubi from Boko Haram militants in February 2015. On Friday March 13, 2015, the Islamic State group's media arm Al-Furqan, in an audio recording by spokesman Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, said that Boko Haram's pledge of allegiance has been accepted, claiming the caliphate has now expanded to West Africa. (AP Photo/str) (The Associated Press)
Nigeria has acknowledged it is getting help from regional security operatives following reports that South African and other foreign contractors are assisting in the fight against Boko Haram extremists.
Nigerian government spokesman Mike Omeri said Thursday that the government is not engaging in "any backchannel or unlawful recruitment."
In a statement emailed to The Associated Press, Omeri notes that soldiers from neighboring countries, including Chad and Niger, are participating in operations against the Islamic militants.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Omeri says other "individuals" from the region "are on the ground in a capacity limited to training or technical support."
A spokesman for Islamic State militants, who control part of Iraq and Syria, says the group has accepted a pledge of allegiance from Boko Haram.