New Nigeria Military Chief Signals 'New Strategy' Against Boko Haram

After Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan fired his top military chiefs this week, some analysts said it signified a failure of the old guard to beat Islamist militants in the north. Some say a fresh approach to the security crisis is one of several changes the president appears to be making ahead of elections next year.
 
Three states in northern Nigeria have been virtually occupied by military forces for eight months now, but insurgent attacks continue. 
 
When President Goodluck Jonathan announced new leaders for the defense department, the army, the navy and the air force on Thursday, he did not give a reason. But political consultant Fabian Ihekweme said it appears the president is trying a different approach to the security crisis.
 
“You may recall a few days ago that a new anti-terrorist outfit has been created out of the Nigerian military.  So it is the same new strategy being developed by the president to tackle the Boko Haram menace,” said Hekweme.
 
Human Rights Watch said 40 people were killed and 50 were injured Tuesday when a car bomb exploded outside a post office in Maiduguri, the original home of the Islamist militant group known as Boko Haram. More: voanews