Chad withdrew hundreds of troops from Niger over the past two weeks, where it was assisting local forces in the fight against Nigerian militant group Wilayat al Sudan al Gharbi, better known by its former name, Boko Haram , Kitco News reported Oct. 12. Niger residents said there has been an increase in banditry and several attacks by Boko Haram crossing into the country from neighboring Nigeria. Chad at one point had 2,000 troops in Niger. The withdrawal comes less than a month after Chad was placed on the U.S. travel ban .