>>> a series of bomb blasts kills more that 50 in northern nigeria, as boko haram policemenspledges allegiance to i.s.i.l. hello there, i'm shiulie ghosh, and you're with al jazeera from doha. also coming up. closing in on tikrit. iraqi forces liberate a nearby town for i.s.i.l. on the first anniversary on the disappearance of malaysia airlines flight mh370, the search for answers goes on. plus, how do women survive in mexico, when husbands are kidnapped or killed by drug gangs. >> well, let's start in nigeria, where boko haram pledged allegiance to the islamic state of iraq and levant. on saturday more than 50 were killed in coordinate attacked across the city of maiduguri. suspected fighters from the armed group were there. we have this report from abuja. >> reporter: in northern nigeria, these are victims of the latest attacks. medical workers struggle to take those, and it's becoming a routine in the north. dozens have been killed in three coordinated attacks on maiduguri. a city home to more than a million replaced by violence. >> translation: the dead are in the morgue and the injured tr

a muslim from the falani ethnic group and comes from the ketsina state in northern nigeria nigeria's military says it's pushed boko haram out of the base in gwoza north of the country. success on borno state. from abuja yvonne ndege reports. >> in a rare public address nyjer's military spokesperson gave this statement. >> many of the terrorists have died and many have been captured in the process. tons of ammunition have been recovered, and the safe areas of the rnl terrorists terrorists have been entirely destroyed. >> army says they will be held until further notice. both were embedded with the military just before their detention. >> the al jazeera news crew few if only sources of information from the northeast. and ahead of elections happening, and an expectation that we would be getting reports from the al jazeera journalists who are based there who have worked all along embedded with the military and reporting on the military activityies in the region wee are particularly worried about this situation. >> reporter: it is the closest election since the end of military rule in 199

a report now from the capital abuja. >> reporter: another bloody day in northern nigeria.se are victims of the latest attacks by suspected boko haram fighters. medical workers struggle to save those they can. a scene that has now become a routine in the north. dozens have been killed in three coordinate ahead tacks. a city home for more than a million people displaced by boko haram violence. >> translator: the dead are in the morgue and the injured are being treated. there are reports that it was the work of male and female suicide bombers. it is possible, but i can't confirm it now. >> reporter: hours after the attack, the leader of boko haram, pledged loyalty to isil. boko haram had hinted at joining forces with isil before. but the timing of this announcement is important. the group has recently lost ground in the northeast of the country and some see this pledge of allegiance as a desperate attempt to draw isil in to its operations. a military onslaught by forces from nigeria cameroon, niger and chad has forced the fighters from their bases the nigh nigeria then milita

. >> reporter: another bloody day in northern nigeria. these are suspected attacks by boko haram fighters. medical workers struggle to save those that they can, a keen that is routine in the north. dozens have been killed. maiduguri, a city where many are displaced. translation: the dead are no the morgue. wounded are being treated. there are reports it was male and if female suicide bombers. >> reporter: hours after the tack the leader of boko haram pledged loyalty to i.s.i.l. they hinted on joining forces to i.s.i.l. before. the timing is important. the group lost ground in the north-east of the country, and some see the plague of allegiance as a desperate attempt to draw i.s.i.l. >> military from nigeria, cameroon niger and chad forced fighters from their bases. the nigerian military took back many towns and villages from the fighters but face resistance from boko haram. the group has stepped up its attacks on bus stations. this is causing a lot of concern among nigerians, who witnessed such bumps before in other areas. >>> boko haram

has thousands of people over the past six years in a campaign to carve out an islamic state in northern nigeriathe group has pledged allegiance to isil which has called on its supporter to fight in africa. nigeria's government insists it has no need to unlawfully recruit soldiers to confront boko haram. it already has the support of african union regional force but as the general elections move closer later this month. some say the government's use of mercenaries will translate in to votes. al jazerra. >>> al jazerra's nick schifrin is in northern eastern nigeria and has been speak to the nigerian government about the vikings against boko haram. >> reporter: according to a senior western official who works here as well as a senior noncommissioned officer inside the nigerian military who was actually injured by boko haram both of them say that the 40 or so villages that the military or nigeria i should probably say has recaptured from boko haram was done in part or at least because of the help of foreign mercenaries. we have spoken to many senior military officials as well today and over the las

. >> people in northern nigeria spilled onto the streets to celebrate their country's historic election. anchor: our correspondent has been following the selection and joins us from the nigerian capital. it seems goodluck jonathan has been defeated. the first time this is happened to a sitting president in nigeria. >> it is the first time this is happening in the history of nigeria so it is very significant. you can see there is a very good move in the north of the country , a lot of people are celebrating now. i came back to the campaigning headquarters. everyone is happy celebrating. there are organizing spontaneous power races. most importantly so far, it's very peaceful. it might be a very important aspect. and congratulated him on his victory. people think it could have a strong impact on the effect of the situation. anchor: what does this mean? what can we expect from his presidency. and also being a very modest person. >> what he did in the past is arresting critics and also journalist. some people fear he might cut down the rights of the citizens in some way. anchor: we will hav

. >>> well the threat of boko haram attacks means security in northern nigeria is a major concern for the people ahead of the presidential election next week. it could determine the way people will vote when they go to the polls next week. we go to an area that has suffered many boko haram attacks. 12,348 >> reporter: until recently this was boko haram country. the fighters may have left the streets of maidug, ri, but they haven't. it's extraordinary that people are turning out for last-minute campaigns. defying the real risk of suicide bombs to better understand who to vote for. after six years of violence, which has left tens of thousands dead there is a thirst for change. a thriving business 100 kilometers north of maiduguri. then boko haram took over and he lost everything. >> three of my sons were killed. i lost everything in my houses, my stores, and my cars. if the people in charge of security cared we wouldn't have reached this state. >> the government points to recent victories by multi national forces against boko haram, but the mood here is skeptical. >> why has it taken th

they have launched military offensives in northern nigeria before sunday's joint operation with niger. the militants' pledge of allegiance to the islamic state group's weekend was the last straw. nigerians government -- nigeria's government appealed for international help. >> it is time for the government of nigeria to mount of its power from other countries to be able to fight and slaughter the insurgents. >> the african union recently endorsed the creation of a regional force of up to 10,000 troops to combat boko haram. for now, the operation is set to be limited to areas on the nigerian side of lake chad which represent only a fraction of the militants' zone of activity. 30,000 people have been killed during 30 -- six years of insurgency. genie: 30 people were killed in an airstrike on an oil refinery run by the islamic state group that strike by the u.s.-led coalition targeting the syrian refinery that's it near the border with turkey -- that sits near the border with turkey. international forces often target oil refineries held by islamic state. meanwhile, troops in iraq are maki

national electoral commission has just announced this in announcing the votes that were cast in northern nigeria. there are still two more states to be announced. one of them is in the north. borno state which has been the center of the group of bo echococoa echo boko haram. >> so as you say, this is the announcement that we've been waiting for from the independent election commission and we have confirmed that the opposition's lead was just too much for president good luck jonathan to overcome. is this result one that is going to be widely accepted in the country? >>reporter: that's a good question. if you look at the number of people that participated in this call it was a close race and people will be divided about this outcome. that is clear if you look at the number of votes. i guess there's a feeling of relief around the country that this has been aclear-cut outcome. many were worried it would end up in a runoff if they were not able to score at least 25% of the vote in 24 of nigeria's 36 states. it's clear what has been announced here by the electoral commission that a runoff has been avo

. >>> the threat of boko haram attacks mean that university in northern nigeria is a major concern for people ahead of the presidential election. it may determine people who go to the polls. >> until recently this was boko haram country. the faters may have fighters may have left. it's extraordinary that people are turning out for campaigns to better understand who to vote for. after six years of valence that has left thousands dead there is a thirst for change. this man had a thriving business. then boko haram took over, and he lost everything. three of my sons were killed. i lost everything in my houses, my stores, and my cars. if the people in charge of security cared we would not have received this state. >> the government points to recent victories by multi national forces against boko haram. but the mood here is skeptical. >> it has taken them too long to realize the enormity of the problem. too many have been killed. >> this anger is shared by many. >> a suicide-bomber attacked this market just over a week ago. many people are killed or injured. for most people north of the coun

. >> reporter: northern nigeria has been under a state of emergency for the last two years. the last places you'd expect to find an american university. in a side room four girls chat and giggle discussing their dream with their principal. for these girl just to be here today is a testament to courage and hope. around a year ago i met this teenager. she just escaped the boko haram abduct of nearly 300 of her friends from that school. last time i saw you, it was very very different. you just had gone through something really horrible. and you said that you western sure you could ever go back to school. now, here you are. the change in her is remarkable. all, she says, thank to her teacher. she hopes to follow in their footsteps. boko haram targeted these girl and hundreds of others like them across nigeria's north for daring to go to school. 21 of them are now back in education, enrolled on scholarships at the american people university of nigeria. the school's vice chancellor and native kalean is a long way from home. but she says she's exactly where she's meant to be. >> we

. >> joined forces of niger and chad have killed several boko haram fighters in northern nigeria.it is the latest move in taking down boko haram. we have reports from the front lines of borno, nigeria. >> reporter: preparing for an attack on boko haram. the group is uplifted, but as they were about to go, the mission was aborted. a large number of boko haram were headed their way. every soldier is told to go to the trenches. from attack mode to defense. a posture they know too well after six years of insurgency. and our crew was ordered to get out of town. attacks by the military and counter attacks are all too familiar. the last two months have been particularly tough for boko haram. the soldiers have been injected into the area. but we have new equipment. between february to this. >> battles have been won in many areas, but the war is not over yet. >> the military may have chased boko haram out of many towns and villages, but holding these same areas presents a difficult challenge. the fighters return to attack the same villages liberated by the military, and this is taken a lot

. >>> 20 boko haram fighters in northern nigeria offense took place across the border from niger. destroyed boko haram vehicles and motorcycles carrying fighters. it is the latest news in a joint force mission to take on boko haram. ahmed idris reports. >> the droops are upbeat about this assignment after recent successes against the group. bit as their commander is about to lead them out the mission was aborted. a large number of borm fighters boample boko haram fighters were seen coming their way. posture they know foo well too well after six years of insurgency. our crew was ordered to get out of town. attacks are all too familiar. the last two months have been particularly tough for boko haram. >> the soldiers, fresh troops havearetroops have been injected into the situation. from february to date to change the tide of the battle. >> reporter: battles have been won in many areas but the war isn't over yet. the military may have chased out boko haram out of many towns and villages but holding these same areas presents a difficult challenges. the same areas liberated from the mi

. >> the threat of attacks means security in northern nigeria is of huge concern for the presidential elections. we have this report from maiduguri, a city that suffered most at the hands unfortunate armed group. >> reporter: until recently this was boko haram country. the fighters may have left the streets of maiduguri, but the threat they pose has not. which is why it's so extraordinary that people are turning out for last minute election campaigns. defining the risk of suicide bombs to better understand who to vote for. >> after six years of violence tens of thousands, there is a thirst for change. they had a driving business, it 100km north of maiduguri. then boko haram took over and he lost everything. >> a few of my seconds were killed. i left everything in my houses stores and cars. people in charge of security - if they cared, we wouldn't have reached the state. >> the government points to victories by multi national forces. the mood here is skeptical. >> translation: why has it taken them too young to recognise the problem. why now, before the elections. and this anger is sha

killed thousands of people over the past six years in a campaign to carve out an islamic state in northern nigeria. the group pledged aleej onlies to i.s.i.l. calling on supporters to fight in africa. >> the government insists it has recruited soldiers. it has the support of african union, a regional force. as the nation heads towards general elections some say the government's use of mercenaries is a push for security that will translate into votes. >>> libya's prime minister arrived in the northern sri lankan city of jaffna. it is the first indian leader to visit the stronghold. they were defeated in the civil war, narendra modi met leaders of the tamil alliance in the capital. and they are joined from jaffna. it's an important visit overall, not least because of the significance of where it is now. >> the indian prime minister is making several important points. we did hear him talk about support for sri lanka as it reverse to the process. they are constitutional changes. many were supported. that was at that day looked at and targeted bringing peace between the communities. here in jaffna behi

. >> reporter: another bloody day in northern nigeria. these are victims of the latest attacks by suspected boko haram fighters. medical workers struggled to save those they can, a scene that is a routine in the north. dozens have been killed on attacks in maiduguri. >> translation: the dead are in the morgue, the injured treatment. there are reports it was the work of male and female suicide bombers, it's possible, i can't confirm it now. >> hours after the attack the leader pledged loyalty to i.s.i.l. >> boko haram hinted at joining forces with i.s.i.l. before pt the timing of this announcement is important. the group lost ground in the north-east of the country and some see the pledge of allegiance as a desperate attempt to draw i.s.i.l. military forces from nigeria, cameroon and chad forced fighters from their bases. the nigerian villages took back towns and villages but they face resistance. the group stepped up attacks, and this is causing a lot of concern among mainlying earians who witness said such bombings before >>> iraqi troop

blasts or rather two of the attackers, duties bombers went to the market, the biggest market in northern nigeria. >> ahmed, what are the security forces doing? they tell that's they're turning the tide against bomb, but clearly that's not the case. >> basically if we look at the number of towns and villages recaptureed in forces in the northeast. but you see a number of attacks like this one remember, the town was hit. basically what is happening now boko haram has been chased out of some of these villages is finding targets in the main towns and cities across the northeast of nigeria. >> what about the people of maiduguri, ahmed? how are they coping with yet again, another series of attacks. they're getting tired of all this aren't they? >> absolutely. they're tired of this. but again life continues for most of them. also remember maiduguri witnessed the influx of 1.5 million refugees who fled fighting when boko haram took over their communities over the last year or so. people who are witnessing this in maiduguri have seen attacks before. some have been attacked three or four times and then th

. >> we go live now to our correspondent who joins us live now from northern nigeria. what can you tell us about monday's fight? >> there is an update on the number of casualties on both sides. the officials said 10 soldiers have been killed in the fight and a medical doctor that he saw about 30 soldiers admitted to the local hospital. this is right at the border between the niger republic and nigeria. there's also an update on the number of casualties from the site of the terrorist. more than 300 oh boko haram members have been killed so far, but this number has not been confirmed. >> how are nigerians taken to the presence of all of these foreign troops? >> the reaction has been extremely positive. they have then demanding support for years. many people in eastern nigeria think the army is either not willing or not capable to fight the terrorists by themselves. the reaction has not been so unconditionally positive. they have said some of the statements -- >> i'm sorry we don't have any more times. -- any more time. >> we will be right back. >> welcome back. the cease

. >> reporter: another bloody day in northern nigeria. these are victims of the latest attacks by suspected boko haram fighters. medical workers struggle to save those that they can a scope that is routine in the north. dozens have been killed in three coordinated attacks. a city home to a million people displaced by boko haram violence. >> the dead are in the morgue and the injured treated. there are reports that it was the work of male and female suicide bombers. it's possible but i kapt confirm it now. >> hours after the attack the leader of boko haram pledged loyalty to i.s.i.l. >> boko haram hinted at joining forces to i.s.i.l. the timing of this announcement is important. the group lost ground and some sore the plague of allegiance as a desperate attempt. a military group by forces from nigeria, cameroon, niger and chad forced the fighters from their bases. the nigerian military took back downs and villages. they still face resistance from boko haram. now the group stepped up attacks on soft targets and this is causing a lot of conc

. >> security in northern nigeria is a major concern. it's suspected the issue will determine the way people will vote when they go to the polls. we have this report from maiduguri, a city that has suffered many attacks. >> until recently this was boko haram country. the fighters may have left the streets of maiduguri, but the threat they pose has not. which is why it's so extraordinary that people are turning out for last-minute election campaigns. defying the risk to better understand who to vote for. after six years of violence which left tens of thousands dead, there is a thirst for change. this man had a thriving business 100km north of maiduguri. then boko haram took over. and he lost everything. >> translation: three of my sons were killed. i lost everything in my houses stores and cars. if the people in charge of security cared, we wouldn't have reached this state. >> the government points to victories by multinational forces against boko haram. the mood is skeptical. >> why has it tan taken them too long to realise the problems.

young girls as suicide bombers and people suspect the group was behind a series of bombings in northern nigeria. >>> after powerful storms ripped through sydney australia, the weather will cooperate in the cleanup efforts. our meteorologist jonathan oh is here with the details. jonathan? >> hello, gene yes. we have been looking at this front that rolled through australia during the weekend. and as we take a look at the satellite perspective, now things have calmed down a little bit clear for the moment but you can still see plenty of activity toward the north. we have these storms rolling through every once in awhile. sometimes they pick up a lot of steam as they roll across the country, and now we have some video coming out of sydney to show you what it looked like. you could see even the person trying to shoot the video was having a hard time keeping the camera still because we had winds up to 100 kilometers per hour blowing through the area mostly concentrated in the storm's gust front as you see right there in the video. thousands across new south wales lost power because of the storm. on t

killed thousands of people over the past six years in a campaign to carve out an islamic state in northern nigeriaoup has now also pledged allegiance to isil which has called on its supporter to fight in africa. nigeria's government insists it has no need to unlawfully recruit soldiers to confront boko haram. it always has the support of the african union. but as the nations head it's a push to scurry gains that will translate in to votes as they head towards elections. >>> egypt's government says it will build a new administrative capital just east of cairo. the housing minister says it will be built within seven years and cost $45 billion. it's part of a series of mega projects announced during all summit aimed atta facting more investment in the country. egypt's gulf neighbors have pledged more than $12 billion to support the economy president abdel fattah el-sisi says he hopes growth will reach 6% over the net next five years and unemployment cut by 10%. stefanie dekker reports. >> reporter: world and business leaders all here to listen to egypt's pitch despite years of turmoil, we are open fo

. >> a number of schools are being rebuilt in northern nigeria where the government is continuing thegainst boko haram. schools have come to be seen as a soft target for the fighters who abducted nearly 300 school girls from a college last year. their fate remains unclear a report. >> reporter: on a mission to secure schools a nigerian government delegation traveling has been cleared of boca huh ralph fighters but still trying to come to terms with the abduction of its school girls last year and this is how a project supported by international donors like britain, the united states, qatar and others. the idea is simple go to to areas freed of boko haram control and build new state schools. it's a new part of the strategy against a group with a name that basically means western education is sin. other places like this have new schools, students from places where boko haram still in control are being relocated so they can attends class too. more than 2,400 so far. >> laying new foundations to rebuild this school. the safe school project is just finding ways to strengthen the school surr

. >>> schools are being rebuild in northern nigeria where the government is continuing the fight against armed group boko haram. schools have come to be seen as a soft target for the fighters. who abducted nearly 300 school girls from a college last year. their fate remains unclear. >> reporter: on a mission to secure schools. a nigerian government delegation traveling has been cleared of boko haram fighters but still trying to come to terms with the object ducks of its school girls -- abduction of its school girls last year. this is how a project support by international donorses bike broughtbritain, the united states and others. go in to and build new state schools it's a new part of a strategy with a group against the group. student from places where boca ham rah is still in control are being relocated so that they can attend class too. more than 2,400 so far. >> to lay new foundations soon to rebuild this school. the safe school projects is just finding ways to strengthen the school surroundings for our children. particularly in the. [ inaudible ] the national initiative was started.

. >>> and france has pledged more troops to help in the fight against boko haram in northern nigeria.ister insists the extra soldiers will not be involved in direct combat operations. jackie roland reports from paris. >> reporter: french sole stkpwrer on his patrol in the streets in mallee. just one way the french military is heavily engaged in its former coloniescolonies in africa. right now 8,000 french troops are deployed in peacekeeping unions which is straining the armed force to his the limit. >> one of the solution is his perhaps to say that we are not the only country to have this goal to fight abroad. and more and more we ask for for example the european union to to pay more on two more for military reparation as broads. >> reporter: on top of the overseas missions another 10,000 troops are currently deployed inside france itself. this is in direct response to the attacks in paris in january in which 17 people were killed. more demands are being made on the military than were budgeted for. this is a time of economic crisis in france. all government departments under pressure

. >> nick schifrin with the latest for us from northern nigeria nick, thank you. ♪ >>> there has beenor push against the islamic state of iraq and the levant on three front. the armed group currently occupies the cities of tariq fallujah, and areas around the kurdish held city of kirkuk. on monday iraqi forces and shia militia advances towards at that creek took back the nearby downs. this as kurdish forces drove isil fighters back from kirkuk in an attack backed by coalition air strikes. and the iraqi troops have massed outside a town in the anbar province part of a push towards the city of fallujah which has been under isil control for several months now. meanwhile the influence al shia cleric says his militia will help in the planned offensive to recapture mows ill from isil. he comes from a family of shia scholars and is the son of the late grants ayatollah who was allegedly killed by sadam hussein's government. he rose to prominence in 2003 when his militia began a violent campaign against the u.s.-led invasion of iraq. since then the controversial cleric has built strong politic

i mean you simply can't send troops into northern nigeria and cameroon. don't have enough troops. we don't have enough troops to go into libya where isis is spreading, at least people that swear allegiance to it. it's in parts of nigeria. we're not sending troops into syria. i think ultimately this movement will collapse, but in the meantime baghdadi is portraying himself as the defender of sunni islam, so everywhere you see a political vacuum you see them at the very least, you know, getting a political propaganda. look at yemen where there are groups swearing allegiance and that's because there's a huge power vacuum there. some force, local force, needs to fill this vacuum and it will crush the islamic state or isis or isil, whatever you want to call it. but it will take time. but not with american troops. >> chris. >> not with american troops but isis loves a vacuum and all these groups are. the nigerian army is weak. boko haram took advantage of it. the chatti army moved in kick the ass of isis. when isis is up against a real army it will fight, it may

. >>> votes in nigeria people wait to see who will be their next president. >> i'm in the northern philippines. there is excitement here as the tribe welcomes a new arrival. >> we begin with yemen humanitarian workers. 45 people have been killed. airstrikers have hit a camp for displaced people in the north. a coalition has been bombing houthi rebels who control the capital of sanaa. houthies have ended the southern city. and they've launched a new offensive on the city of aden and there have been new battles in the central province. >> yemeni describes men and shia houthi rebels engage in fierce fighting around the town in eastern yemen. local sources say several houthi fighters have been killed. the houthies are trying to move through this area to the oil rich province, but local tribesmen are not the only ones determined to stop their advance. this attack is by the saudi-led coalition targeting houthi military positions. airstrikes have also hit houthi fighters. dozens of outy fighters have been killed, and jets have bombed positions in the northern province of saada considered the houthi's

northern nigeria where the apc made a strong show.response as chairman of the commission said the complaint was not submitted to the proper center. he asked them to submit it through the proper channel. that's why he has taken action on that. >> we can hear noise behind you. we have to leave it at that. thanks very much. >>> the germanwings aircraft. speeding up the task of identifying the victims. the co-pilot who crashed the plane had been treated for suicidal thoughts. our correspondent in dusseldorf told me more about what the authorities were saying. >> reporter: this comes from the dusseldorf prosecutor leading the investigation. lubitz -- he said yesterday, at some point before lubitz qualified as a pilot, he has therapy for suicidal tendencies. we don't know when it happened. it may have been when he was in his teens. it's difficult to speculate on whether that information should have been passed on to an airline company. at the start of their flight then they are seen by a doctor once a year. they have to pass information if

that's not the case here and many other communities affected by the violence sweeping northern nigeria. farms like these are idle meaning there will be less food in the coming year. >> again, they've been in nigeria reporting on the conflict and they have been held against their will for a week now. al jazeera is demanding their release >>> the military conflict in yemen has now entered its seventh straight violent day and now houthi fighters are affecting a global shipping route. there are reports they have taken positions overlooking the gulf of aden. >>reporter: saudi army officers say the houthi and forces loyal to deposed president saleh are advancing to try and capture the sea port city of aden. forces loyal to president hadi play a crucial role in the military intervention. they are the ones who provide intelligence on houthi fighters seen here trying to set up a checkpoint on the outskirts of aden. moments later, the checkpoint is hit. armed vehicles tanks, missile launchers are also struck. >> there is a houthi presence inside and around the city of aden. we have intensify int

>> following the many battles and squirmishes that have been occurring since chad went into northern nigeriai think there has been a lot of serious clashes. chad has been claiming territory, and there's the town reclaiming nigerian military. the nigerian government said that the claim of allegiance to i.s.i.l. put boko haram on the back foot and it was a desperate measure, it's too soon to say it's finished. >> unless boko haram has been around for a long time the nigerian government is unwilling or unable to deal with it. now there's a multi national course does it supply the boost for jonathan goodluck ahead of the elections. >> yes, this is a high stakes gamble and jonathan goodluck wants the decisive delivery, elections, as you say, to have the end of boko haram delivered before the elections on 28 march. that's important. chad needs to get it over and done with. chad is having economic problems. the drop in the oil price means that chad is running out of cash. they need a delivery. whether it end up that chad hands jonathan goodluck his election victory on a plate, because they defeat t

. >> a new round of deadly attacks in northern nigeria, on a day when boko haram pledges allegiance to i.s.i.l. it comes as another attack by the army on boko haram. [ ♪♪ ] . >> if someone told me when we crossed the bridge that we'd be back her introducing the president, i would have said you are crazy, out of your mind. president obama. >> a haunting image. one of the leaders of the historic march. one of the leaders returns to reflect on a powerful movement. president obama led a long list of dick nit race that gather -- dignitaries that gathered in the not steps of those that crossed the bridge. >> we honour those that walked so we can run. we must run so our children soar and we must not grow weary because we believe in the power of awesome guys, and in the sacred promise. >> the 50th anniversary ceremony paid tribute to pioneers of the civil right movement. tony harris takes a look at today's event in selma. [ singing ] >> reporter: on a day when the painful past was revisited. a man beaten leading a baseful march for voting rights brought the past into the here and now. >> the s

i have talked to many internally displaced people across northern nigeria who say they will not returnr homes even though the military says their homes are safe to clear. they simply don't trust the military enough and don't trust that boko haram won't be back or at least try to lunch another attack. >> nick schifrin. >>> now to syria, where opposition activists say government helicopters dropped barrel bombs full of chlorine on civilians. this video appears to show people grasping for breath shortly after the attack. four days ago, the u.n. security council warned it would make more action if chlorine was used. jake ward has been look going the devastating impact of chlorine attacks. jake why hasn't chlorine been outlawed in syria? >> that is one of the first questions that comes to mind. but the truth is that chlorine is not banned in syria, because it would be almost impossible to ban it in any country. it is one of the most plentiful and useful elements we have on earth. think of it as salt. it's used in 85% of pharmaceuticals, building materials, agricultural materials, it is abso

chad on the other have killed they say more than 20 boko haram fighters as they've moved into northern nigeria. it was in the borno state village of jabula, just across the border from niger helicopter gun ships destroyed boko haram militia and fighters riding on motor bikes. all of these one of the joint moves the forces are taking. let's hear from mohamed idris. he is on the front lines in nigeria. >> preparing for an attack on boko haram. the troops are upbeat about this assignment after recent successes against the group. but as their commando is about to lead them out the mission was aborted. a large number of boko haram fighters were seen heading their way. every soldier is told to go to the trenches. from attack mode to defense a posture they know too well after six years of insurgency. and our crew was ordered to get out of town. attacks by the military and counterattacks are all too familiar. the last two months have been particularly tougher for boko haram. >> the soldiers are still fresh troops have been injected into the operation. but we have new equipment. between february to dat

. >>> joint forces from niger and chad have killed several dozen boko haram fighters in northern nigeria the offense took place in the borno state across niger. this is the latest move in a joint force mission to take on boko haram. we have reports from one of of the battlefields in northeast nigeria. [♪ singing ♪] >> reporter: preparing for an attack on boko haram. the troops are upbeat about this assignment after recent successes against the group. but as the commander was about to leave the mount the mission was aborted. a large number of boko haram fighters were seen heading their way. every soldier is told to go to the trenches. from attack mode to defense, a posture they know too well after six years of insurgency. and our crew were ordered to get out of town. attacks by the military and counter attacks are all too familiar. the last two months have been particularly tough for boko haram. >> the soldiers have been injected into the operation but we have new equipment. between february to this. >> battles have been won in many areas, but the war is not over yet. the military may hav

we go to northern nigeria where school girls were kidnapped by boko haram last year. >> it's going to be a long and painful process. >> my more and more south africans are going to be left in the dark. >> find out if scholars can top things in sport. >> hello again these are the headlines. a senior commander of the al-qaeda rebel group al-nusra has been killed in syria, he died in a government air strike on thursday. >> peace talks between the two warring parties in south sudan have been suspended indefinitely. the president and his rival rebel leader and former vice president have been meeting in ethiopia since tuesday. representatives from libya's rival governments are holding talks in morocco to try to prevent the country from descending into civil war focusing on ways to form a national unit government and securing a ceasefire. >> in southern yemen president hadi put local militias in charge of all government institutions in aden. the groups known at popular committees are responsible for security at his palace. >> these are the men in charge of law and order in southern yemen. th

. >> another bomb today in northern nigeria. these are attacks by suspected boko haram fighters.ical workers struggle to save those they can. that has become a routine in the north. >> the dead are in the morgue, and the injured are being treated. there are reports that it was the work of both male and female suicide-bombers. >> dozens have been killed the city now home to a million people displaced by boko haram violence. this is the bloodiest attack on the city since boko haram attempted to seize it. people here have become so used to the violence and are concerned about how to live the next day. the forces from cameroon chad give resistence to boko haram. now the group has stepped up attacks on soft targets like marks and bus stations. this has caused a lot of concern for nigerians who have witnessed such attacks before. >> the families of three british teens believed to have gone to syria to join isil say the police have let them down. they say authorities withheld information they believe could have prevented the teens from leaving. >> they're just 15 and 16 years old, but i

the nigerian military claimed they would not be able to guarantee safe elections in northern nigeria, where the group boko haram operates in. and the military have been involved in an operation against boko haram, in which they were involved with cameroon chad and niger. the two main election issues are corruption, which is a run away issue in nigeria, and how to cut the security. >> coming up on the programme, a look at how some states are pushing back against same-sex marriage. the fine line of protecting against religious freedom. tonight on a deeper look. >> reporter: what you did was illegal and you broke the law. >> i did, i did break the law. >> how she became a wall street success, while living in the u.s. >>> also why firefight prers delayed getting so the scene of a deadly fire. join the conversation. >> join the conversation about issues around the world. is >>> welcome back. freedom of religion is one of the longest held american ideals. when crafting the bill of rights our founders placed them in the first sentence of the first amendment: but it's freedom of religion is i

run away issue in nigeria, and how to curve insecurity in north-east nigeria >>> speaking of northern nigeria, voter are facing major security concerns ahead of the elections. the region has been under siege by boko haram, with a little help. the threat of violence could sway the vote. >> until recently this was boko haram country. the fighters may have left the streets of maiduguri, but the threat they pose has not. it is why it's so extraordinarily that people are turning out for last-minute elections. defying the risk of suicide bombs to getter understand who to vote for. after six years of violence which left tens of thousands dead there is a thirst for change. this man had a thriving business in baga 100km north of maiduguri. then boko haram took over, and he lost everything. >> a few of my sons were killed. i lost everything in my houses stores and cars. if the people in charge of security cared, we wouldn't have reached the state. >> the government points to victories by multi national forces against boko haram. the mood here is skeptical. >> reporter: why has it taken them too long to

. >> reporter: at this camp in northern nigeria, we've been told you can take your pick of orphan childrenhere is just one requirement, according to the man who runs the camp. >> you said perhaps earlier there would be a suggested donation? >> yes. yes, yes. i told you. >> reporter: behind us children are playing blissfully unaware. over the phone we said we wanted to eninfire what they are calling here fostering, how it works. he returned with his partner, telling me that there are children available. i wore a hidden camera to show how easy it would be to procure a child. >> is there any document i need to sign or anything? no? just the green light from you is enough? >> yes. even verbal is okay. >> reporter: all the talk we just had in that camp of suggested donations and fostering, none of that is legal. none of it is legal in any way, shape or form. for months now, there have been reports of children being offered for sale in the displaced camps. the worry is that anyone can walk in or out with a child. even the very terror groups that they fled the camps to escape. there are concerns

. >> another bloody day in northern nigeria opinion these are victims of the latest attacks by suspected boko haram fighters. medical workers struggle to save those they can a scene that has now become a routine in the north. dozens have been killed in three coordinated attacks to this city home to more than three mill displaced by the boko haram violence. >> the dead are in the morgue, the injured being treated. it was the work of male and female bombers. it is possible, but i can't confirm it now. >> the leader of boko haram pledged loyalty to isil hours after the attack. boko haram hinted at joining forces before, butle timing is important. the group has recently lost ground in the northeast of the country, and some see this pledge of allegiance as a desperate attempt to draw isil into its operations. >> the military slowed boko haram with forces from niger cameroon and chad and forced the fighters from their bases taking back many towns r. towns and villages, but face resistance from boko haram. now the group has stepped up attacks on soft markets like markets and bus stations, causi

. >> another bloody day in northern nigeria. these are victims of the latest attacks by suspected boko haram fighters. medical workers struggle to save those they can, a seen that has become a routine in the north. dozens have been killed in three coordinated attacks in a city now home to more than a million people displaced by boko haram violence. the dead are in the morgue. the injured are being treated. there are reports it was the work of male and female suicide bombers. it is possible but i can't kong firm it now. the attack the leader of boko haram pledged loyalty to is isil. boko haram had hinted at joining forces with is isil before but the timing of this announcement is important. the group has lost ground in the northeast of the country. some see this pledge of allegiance as a desperate attempt to draw is isil into operations. from cameroon niger and chad has forced fighters from their basis. it has taken back many towns and villages from the fighters. they still face resistance from boko haram. now, the group has step

cnn visited a camp where people have sought refuge in northern nigeria. >> reporter: the cathedral complexe to 3,000 people. but you wouldn't know it. tired of waiting for help, all who are able file into town during the day to eke out whatever living they can. all but the youngest children and the women. who wait with empty cooking pots. this is actually the medical center that was set up here on the church grounds to help with some of the needs the displaced people have. it is actually run by a woman from the community here who's herself displaced. rachel raffa does what she can with what little they have, dealing with everything from malaria to childbirth. >> i feel i need to help. i saw the way people were so lonely, so helpless. and seriously sick. >> reporter: yoela town in nigeria's new york has doubled in size since the flood of displaced people fleeing boko haram began. the adnauer peacemakers initiative, a local aid group funded by the american university of nigeria, has been helping support the bishop, but now even they say they're running out of funds. nigeria's military has st

forces from chad have killed several dozen boko haram militants in northern nigeria and offensive tookn borno state in the village across the border and military officials say helicopter bombs destroyed several vehicles and motorcycles carrying fighters, this is the latest move in a joint force mission to take down boko haram and we report from one of the battle fronts in northeastern nigeria. >> reporter: preparing for attack on boko haram, the troops are upbeat about this assignment after resent successes against the group. but as their commander was about to lead them out, the mission was aborted. a large number of boko haram fighters who are seen heading their way. every soldier is told to go to the trenches. from attack mode to defense, a posture they know too well after six years of insurgency. and the coup was ordered to get out of town. attacks by military and counter attacks are all too familiar. the last two months have been particularly tough for boko haram. haram. >> the soldiers have been injected but we have new equipment between our february we can mention we change the

militant group has killed more than a thousand civilians this year alone, and controls parts of northern nigeriaecently pledged allegiance to the so-called islamic state. president jonathan cited the threat from boko haram when, in early february, he delayed this election six weeks. now, jonathan says the army has beat back the group, even though many areas in the north will still have no polling stations. just today, the military said it recaptured a northeastern town and destroyed the militants' headquarters in the process. >> a lot of arms and ammunition have been recovered and the administrative headquarters of the terrorists has been completely destroyed. >> sreenivasan: but whether it is actually the nigerian military making those gains is an open question: the nigerian government reportedly has used mercenaries from south africa and the former soviet union to press the offensive. >> brown: and joining me to discuss tomorrow's election and what it means is the nigeria bureau chief for the associated press: michelle faul. welcome to you. so is this election now about the two men, the two re