Boko Haram crisis: US to fund Nigeria-led force

Nigerian troops are likely to make up the bulk of the force

The US says it will give $5m (£3.2m) towards a multi-national task force being set up to fight Nigeria's militant Islamist group Boko Haram.

Boko Haram "was not just a Nigerian problem", US official Linda Thomas-Greenfield said.

The group was blamed for suicide bombings which killed more than 20 people in neighbouring Chad on Monday.

Chad will be the headquarters of the Nigeria-led force of around 7,500 troops from five countries.

The formation of the force has gained momentum since Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari took office last month.

Nigeria's previous administration, led by Goodluck Jonathan, was seen to have dragged its heels over the creation of the force, as it feared it would undermine Nigeria's sovereignty, BBC correspondents say.