Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan says “a full-scale operation to put an end to the impunity of terrorists on our soil” is underway against the Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram.  The goal is to free the 219 girls kidnapped from their boarding school more than a month ago.

“I am determined to protect our democracy, our national unity and our political stability, by waging a total war against terrorism,” President Jonathan said.  “With the support of Nigerians, our neighbors and the international community, we will reinforce our defense, free our girls and rid Nigeria of terrorists.”

The phrase “total war” was first used in this conflict by the president of neighboring Chad, Idriss Deby, at a West African security conference held in Paris earlier in May.  Jonathan authoritized the military to utilize any means necessary.

This came a day after its fighters killed 42 people during a raid on Gurmushi village in Nigeria’s restive northeast.  The attack was as gruesome as any carried out by Boko Haram.  A female survivor told foreign reporters that the terrorists shot and hacked villagers to death, and burned their homes to the ground.