After several rejected appeals to the US and UK for weapons and helicopter gunships to fight Boko Haram, Nigeria has finally turned to Russia for urgent help.

This is according to reports released on Monday by Damina Advicers, a global political risk consulting firm.

The report says Russia is eager to increase its leverage over other major oil producers, and find new markets for its sanctioned local arms manufacturers.

It says the Russian government has in recent weeks engaged in talks over a multi-billion dollar arms deal and technical advisory mission to help the Nigerian army defeat the insurgents.

•Excerpted from a Channels TV report. Photo shows Nigerian troops on duty against Boko Haram.