DHAKA: Nigeria’s president Goodluck Jonathan has vowed to wage a ‘total war’ against militant Islamist group Boko Haram.

Speaking on the 15th anniversary of the end of military rule, he said ‘international terrorism’ threatened Nigeria’s democratic gains, reports the BBC.

Boko Haram has waged an increasingly bloody insurgency since 2009 to create an Islamic state in Nigeria.

The group has been holding more than 200 schoolgirls captive since last month, demanding a prisoner swap.

Earlier this week, the BBC learned that the government called off a deal to swap some of the girls for Boko Haram fighters in custody.

‘With the support of Nigerians, our neighbors and the international community, we will reinforce our defense, free our girls and rid Nigeria of terrorists,’ Jonathan said, in a televised speech to mark Democracy Day.

BDST: 1823 HRS, MAY 29, 2014