The Multinational Joint Task Force MNJTF, has been applauded over improved security the Lake Chad Basin.
Head of Mission of the MNJTF who is also the Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, Ambassador Mamman Nuhu commended troops of the MNJTF for their efforts in the ongoing Operation LAKE SANITY, urging them to sustain the pressure on Boko Haram(BH) and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists to bring the insurgency to an end.
He gave the commendation while on an assessment visit to the Tactical Headquarters MNJTF in Diffa Niger Republic.
He further stated that he was in Diffa to among others convey the appreciation of the Heads of States of MNJTF Troop Contributing Countries and the entire Lake Chad Basin Region to the troops for the success so far achieved in the operation.
He was received on arrival at the Diffa Airport by the Governor of Diffa Region of Niger, His Excellency Issa Lamine, and the Force Commander MNJTF, Major General Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim, DFC and other senior officers of the MNJTF.
Ambassador Mamman in his comments after being briefed, noted that the nature of insecurity in the Lake Chad region calls for deliberate and sustained effort as well as the cooperation of all participating countries to surmounting the security challenges.
He said he is happy that the MNJTF has been reinvigorated as they are taking the fight to the enemy in the tunbuns (Lake Chad Islands) which is the stronghold of the terrorists.
While delivering his remarks , the Force Commander welcomed the HoM and told him that the MNJTF is ever ready to carry out its mission to a logical conclusion. He called for more support from the various troops contributing countries and for more cooperation to enable them attain mission objectives.
He requested for more equipment such as MRAPs for the various contingents of the Force.
The HoM laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Diffa in recognition of the soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice in the search for peace under the MNJTF Flag.
In another development, The Force Commander MNJTF accompanied by the Deputy Force Commander, Brig Gen Abdou Harouna Assumane visited Mallam Fatori , base of the 68 Battalion where he was briefed and he also interacted with the officers and men of the Forward Operations Base. Similarly, the FC was in Mallam Fatori to inspect and interact with the Chadian Contingent for Op Lake Sanity who are newly joining the mission.
He urged them to be courageous, lethal and professional in the conduct of the operations and wished them well. Thereafter, an operational meeting was conducted by the FC with all the officers in the Base. The obviously elated troops promised to make the MNJTF proud in the operations.
