More Than 200 Killed in Boko Haram Clash

More than 200 people were killed after Nigerian troops battled Boko Haram insurgents in the northeastern city of Maiduguri on Sunday, while U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry traveled to Nigeria’s commercial capital Lagos to urge for peaceful elections next month. Boko Haram insurgents stormed villages 125 miles to the south in the Adamawa state, but a defense ministry spokesman said troops successfully held off attacks on Maiduguri and Konduga. The military also began mounting air raids in Monduno, a town northeast of Maiduguri, which Boko Haram seized Sunday morning. Meanwhile, Kerry’s trip to Lagos included a visit with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and his rival candidate, former military dictator Muhammadu Buhari. Kerry also promised more U.S. support in the battle against Boko Haram if the Feb. 14 elections happen peacefully and democratically.