Military operations in Niger's east have killed at least 500 of Nigeria's Boko Haram extremists whose war has spilled over into neighboring countries, Niger's police spokesman said Wednesday.
The provisional count of 513 since Feb. 8 does not take into account land and air operations launched Sunday jointly by Niger and Chad's army in Nigeria, Capt. Adili Toro said, ABC News reported.
Niger has also lost 24 soldiers in operations that have also killed at least one civilian and wounded 38 soldiers, Toro said.
"These results were achieved, not only because of the decision by authorities to proclaim a state of emergency, but also by the dedication of the population who did not hesitate to denounce accomplices," he said. The state of emergency would be extended by three months, he said.
Recent offensives have marked a sharp escalation by African nations against Boko Haram nearly six years after the group began its insurrection. An African Union summit agreed on sending a force of 8,750 troops to fight Boko Haram.
Search operations along with closures in districts of Cameroon have helped to get a hold of more than 347 suspected Boko Haram members, 132 individuals who have left and 216 militants, Toro said Wednesday.