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Foreign

Book Haram: 10,250 troops deployed by MNJTF

By Olisa Ifeajika
Soldiers
N’djamena, Feb. 8, 2019 (NAN) Maj.-Gen. Chikezie Ude, Field Commander, Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) on Boko Haram insurgency, said operations of the team were currently being executed by 10,250 military personnel.

He told some Nigerian journalists in N’djamena, Chad, on Friday that the number of the personnel, drawn from Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon, the four countries involved in the task force operations, rose from 7,600 in 2015.

Ude, therefore, said that the operations did not have challenge of personnel, adding that the size of the troops had led to the huge decimation of the insurgents in the Lake Chad Basin.

According to him, in 2015, Boko Haram was everywhere, but as at today, no place is under firm control of the insurgents in Nigeria.

The commander said that with the collaboration of national military forces of member-states of the Chad Basin, the Task Force had been able to recover areas previously lost to the insurgents.

He, however, called for support of all segments of the society in the fight to eliminate terrorism in the region, saying “defeating terrorism is not a military affair alone”.

He reaffirmed the mandate of the MNJTF, saying that it is to create safe environment in the basin, to significantly reduce violence against civilians, especially women and children.

Ude disclosed that 2,000 civilian casualties were recorded in the insurgency war in 2015, adding however that the number dropped to 573 in 2018.

He said that security operations in the region had improved considerably, adding that MNJTF’s activities were being prosecuted in four sectors in Bakasole (Chad), Nigeria (Baga), Niger (Diffa) and Cameroon, with additional contingent from Benin Republic.

He said that the forces had been integrated to respond to situations as they arose, explaining that emphasis was on “mobile operations” because of the wide expanse of land in the Lake Chad Basin.

“The task force has kept up with developments in the field, adjusting as the insurgents change strategy.

“Last week alone, we neutralized no fewer than 93 Boko Haram fighters, and this is quite encouraging. All arrested insurgents are often handed over to national forces of the areas where they are captured.”

The commander also disclosed that strategies were being evolved for the protection of liberated communities, “which number 100s, in the area because no deliberate effort for follow-ups on this’’.

He said that situation had remained an issue which the countries of LCBC and the international community were trying to harmonise efforts to ensure that it was sorted out.

According to him, the civilian population in the liberated areas needs structured administration and facilities, with adequate security arrangement, to return and remain in the communities.

Ude called for effective policing of border communities of contiguous nations to ensure that the terrorists did not have free movement in the areas.

He commended citizens of member-states of LCBC for their support for MNJTF and assured that the insurgency would be diminished as the offensive from the joint operations was faring well.

He added that the journey of the war was almost coming to an end, saying that with the support of the people, including the media, “the narratives will change”.

On funding for the task force, the commander said that it was the responsibility of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), noting that it is progressing. (NAN)
OPI/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Environment

MNJTF wants strengthened collaboration for Lake Chad survival

 

NAN-AE-8
Collaboration
By Tosin Kolade

Abuja, Feb. 27, 2018 (NAN) The Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), has called on Lake Chad basin member-countries to strengthen collaboration to wipe out insurgents and protect the livelihood of those in the area.

The Theatre Commander of the force, Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, made the call on the sidelines of the ongoing international conference on Lake Chad in Abuja.

The Lake Chad basin member-countries are: Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Libya, Niger and Nigeria.

According to him, membeber-countries must synergise to see that the common enemy, the insurgents, is taken out.

He said the force was carrying out multi-sectorial engagements to ensure that no new recruitment into violent, extremist groups take place at the region due to poverty and unemployment.

Irabor said the force would continue to create awareness on the dangers of violent extremism through partnerships with relevant stakeholders.

He said the benefits of the conference would be an opportunity to bring the issues to the fore and for all stakeholders to support all efforts to see that the lake was restored.

‘‘In fact, this conference is part of the broader measures to address the security challenges within the Lake Chad area.

‘’Assuming we are able to find a way to replenish the water, fishing activities and its benefits will promote economic life.

‘‘Animal husbandry will also thrive; the people could also practice large scale farming.

”When you aggregate all these, you will know what economic impact of the restoration of the Lake Chad will have on the people, he said.’’

Irabor also said the command would continue its support to military authorities in the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) states in the ongoing clearance operations to route out remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents.

In a related development, Mr Lawrence Freeman, a political analyst, speaking on ‘Thinking Big for the Future of Africa ” said the lake remained the sole provider of means of existence for tens of millions of people.

Freeman, who said that the leadership role taken up by heads of state of the member-states had weakened the capability of violent extremist organisations, called for continued partnerships.

‘‘However, to eliminate the spawning of new terrorist movements, and to end the waves of Africans risking their lives to escape poverty, we must give the people, especially youths, hope for a better future.

‘This requires more than simply humanitarian aid or charity, it requires economic transformation,’’ Freeman said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that MNJTF with headquarters in Ndjemena, Chad was constituted by LCBC states to fight Boko haram insurgency.

The conference with the theme, ‘‘Saving the Lake to Revitalise the Basin’s Ecosystem,’’ is aimed at creating global awareness on the socio-economic and environmental challenges arising from the shrinking lake. (NAN)
TAK/MOL/DUA

Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Dada Ahmed