By Lawrence Audu
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Nigerien Armed Forces Major General Abdou Sidikou Issa has applauded the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) for recent successes recorded in it’s operations across the Lake Chad Basin.
General Issa gave the commendation when he received the Force Commander (FC) Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) Major General GU Chibuisi who paid him a working visit at the Defence Headquarters in Niamey.
While thanking the Force Commander for the visit, the CDS promised more collaboration with the MNJTF to ensure that its mandates were achieved.
He commended the MNJTF on the recent successes recorded in operation HARBIN ZUMA. He assured the FC of the continuous support of the Nigerien Armed Forces to the MNJTF in the ongoing operation.
Earlier in his remarks, the FC congratulated the CDS for his recent appointment as the CDS . He praised the CDS for his exceptional leadership qualities, clear vision, commitment, patriotism and responsiveness which earned him the position.
General Chibuisi’s discussion with the CDS bothered on enhanced synergy and cooperation between the Nigerien Armed Forces and the MNJTF.
The FC thanked the Nigerien government and its Armed Forces for the stabilizing role it has continued to play in the Lake Chad Basin region. He stated that the Nigerien Armed Forces was a committed partner in the fight against terrorism.
He added that these efforts have helped in degrading the BH/ISWAP activities in the region.
He further solicited for more collaboration in order to end the menace of terrorism for the return of total normalcy in the region.
The visit to the CDS according to a statement signed by Chief Military Public Information Officer MNJTF, Lieutenant Colonel Kamarudeen Adegoke, was part of the FC’s schedule while attending the 2nd Annual International Forum on the Development of the Lake Chad Basin where he presented an update on the current security situation in the MNJTF Area of Operations.