By Lawrence Audu
The Force Commander (FC) Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) Major General Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim has lauded the courage and professionalism of the Air Component Command ACC whose pilots synergized effectively with the other Air Components of the MNJTF and inflicted heavy casualty on the insurgents, their equipment and locations noting that they have truly distinguished themselves.
General Ibrahim gave the commendation on Thursday 11 August 2022 when he paid an operational visit to the Air Component Command (ACC) in Maiduguri.
He conveyed his special appreciation to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal IO Amao for his consistent support to the MNJTF while also commending the Commander of the Air Component, Air Commodore EP Efanga for his doggedness, determination and will to fight and win.
He urged him to continue in this line as plans for MNJTF Operation LAKE SANITY 2 had started.
The Force Commander thereafter decorated pilots who took part in the recently concluded Operation LAKE SANITY with the highly coveted Operation LAKE SANITY Medal.
The New National Star also reports that, the Force Commander equally visited the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army and The Theatre Command Operation Hadin Kai where he paid glowing tributes to troops for their selfless sacrifices, resilience and gallantry.
He appreciated the Theatre Commander Operation HADIN KAI Major General CG Musa and his team for the great synergy. He equally appreciated the African Union for donating equipment that would help in the current and future Operations of the Force.
In a chat with members of the Press, General Ibrahim appreciated them for their role and described them as “partners in progress” who should always be balanced in their reportage.
He noted that there is a remarkable improvement in security in the Lake Chad Basin and in the North Eastern part of Nigeria where massive and unprecedented surrenders of over 80,000 terrorists and their families have been recorded and are ongoing daily.
He said same though on a lower scale are being recorded in Chad, Cameroun and Niger. He gave an update of areas where IDPs and Refugees had returned to their ancestral homes in the last one year and civil authority is being reestablished gradually which included Banki, Baga, Doron Baga, Cross Kauwa and Malamfatori among others in Nigeria as well as Baroua in Niger amongst other towns. He equally mentioned Amchide and Kolofata towns in Cameroon as well as Madai in Chad. He said he is aware of plans by the political authorities in the MNJTF troop contributing countries working in synergy with the MNJTF and other critical stakeholders to return thousands of IDPs/ refugees to their ancestral homes.
The FC said the MNJTF would continue to partner with neighbouring Operations and other strategic partners in ensuring that total peace is restored to the Lake Chad Region. He equally thanked the Chiefs of Defence Staff of the MNJTF Troop Contributing Countries and the Service Chiefs for their support and guidance.