Insight - U.S. sees no major Islamic State links to Boko Haram, despite claims

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (L) walks with Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan upon arriving at the State House in Lagos January 25, 2015. REUTERS/Akintunde Akinleye/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - After Boko Haram killed more than two dozen soldiers in Niger last week, it claimed the attack in the name of Islamic State-West Africa Province -- a title meant to tell the world it is an arm of the Syria-based extremist group.

But U.S. officials tell Reuters they see no evidence that Boko Haram has received significant operational support or financing from Islamic State, more than a year after the brutal West African group's pledge of allegiance to it.