Nigeria tries to retake villages seized by Chad

Nigerian troops began a counterattack against Chadian forces to retake villages near Lake Chad, a government-owned newspaper said. The New Nigerian quoted military sources as saying the offensive was aimed at recapturing five villages seized by the Chadians last month in attacks that forced the Nigerians to retreat. Government officials from both countries met in Lagos two weeks ago to discuss the incidents. Meanwhile, the Nigerian presidential election campaign is in full swing. Two leading candidates met last week to work out ways to keep domestic peace during the campaign. The poll, three months away, will be the first civilian-run election in almost two decades.