By Lawrence Audu
N’DJAMENA, Chad: The Force Commander, Multinational Joint Task Force MNJTF, Major General Abdul Khalifa Ibrahim the Force is better organised now as a fighting Force and committed to achieving it’s mandate of restoring peace to the region.
General Ibrahim gave the remarks Thursday in N’Djamena at the Medal Parade Ceremony for outgoing Military Staff Officers of the MNJTF.
He noted that the ceremony is unique since it marks seven years since the MNJTF was operationalized with specific mandate to combat terrorism and insurgency in the Lake Chad region.
“It also affords the opportunity to appreciate and honour personnel of the Multinational Joint Task Force for their consistent doggedness and sacrifice in combating terrorism in the region.”
“It further provides an opportunity for the Multinational Joint Task Force to officially launch it’s maiden edition of it’s magazine which aims to keep the general public informed about it’s activities”
Speaking further, the Force Commander said, the Force presents a unique security coalition that brought together countries belonging to different regional economic communities to collaborate and combat the menace of terrorism in the region.
General Ibrahim while paying glowing tributes to troops who have paid the supreme price, announced that the MNJTF has approved the compensation for victims of some of the recent operations carried out.
“While this Medal Parade is a joyous occasion, we must honour and remember our colleagues who have paid the supreme price for the quest for peace in the region. You died for humanity and you did not die in vain”
In his remarks, Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum who was also the Special Guest of Honour applauded the MNJTF for its job at restoring peace in the region.
While commending the commitment of troops contributing countries for their support in the enhancement of the MNJTF’s mandate, Prof Zulum noted that the high-level synergy between the Force and other components, will beneficial to achieving it’s objectives.
High point of the event was the decoration of deserving officers with their categories of medals and the unveiling of the maiden edition of it’s magazine, The Mandate.
In attendance were, the Head of Mission, Lake Chad Basin Commission, representatives of Service Chiefs from troops contributing countries, the Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, as well as members of the Diplomatic Corps.