A high profile military delegation of Sri Lanka, led by Chief of Defence Staff General Jagath Jayasuriya, has held discussions with Nigerian authorities on using Sri Lanka’s experience in combating the Nigerian terrorist group – Boko Haram.

During the discussions, the Sri Lankan delegation has advised the Nigerian authorities to adopt a comprehensive security strategy to face threats posed by ‘Boko Haram’, international media reported.

Boko Haram is a terrorist organization based in northeastern Nigeria, north Cameroon and Niger. Founded by Mohammed Yusuf in 2002, the organization seeks to establish a "pure" Islamic state ruled by sharia, putting an end to what it deems Westernization. A string of attacks carried out by Boko Haram in the recent past, sent shockwaves across the world.

 “They suggested that the military needed to enjoy the support of the entire country in its efforts to counter terrorism,” Nigeria’s defence spokesman Chris Olukolade said.

Nigeria’s Chief of Defense Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, had said they were seriously considering the counter-insurgency experience of the Sri Lankan military with a view to identifying those areas that could be operationally beneficial to Nigeria in its battle to defeat terrorism”, a statement by the Nigerian Defence Ministry said.