Vote delayed; Boko Haram blamed

Several countries in region agree to deploy 8,750 troops by next month to fight extremists

Nigeria has postponed its presidential election on security grounds, as the Boko Haram conflict intensifies, handing a potential lifeline to the ruling party as it battles a tough challenge from the opposition.

The six-week delay was announced on Saturday after security chiefs said the military said they needed more time to secure areas under the control of Boko Haram, the Islamist extremists who have seized swaths of northeastern Nigeria.