By Augustine Ehikioya
The Force Commander (FC) of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Major General Abdul Khalif Ibrahim has disclosed that 5,000 Ex-Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and their families in the MNJTF Area of Operation have surrendered, profiled and handed over to their national authorities.
He made the disclosure when he visited the Chadian Minister of Defence, Lieutenant General Daoud Yaya in N’Djamena, Chad. The visit was monitored by Security Watch Africa (SWA).
“General Ibrahim intimated the Minister on the ongoing handling of mass defection and surrender of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in the MNJTF Area of Operation, in which a total of 5000 Ex-BHT/ISWAP insurgents and their families have surrendered, profiled and handed over to their national authorities.”
“The FC briefed the Honourable Minister on the recorded operational successes; such as the return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), refugees and restoration of civil authority in some areas across the Lake Chad region.
“Notably, the recent return of IDPs and refugees in Baga, Doro Baga and Banki (Nigeria), Amchide and Kolofata (Cameroon) and Baroua in (Niger) which were facilitated by the MNJTF troops. He also said arrangement has reached advanced stage for the return of IDPs and refugees to Mallam Fatori and return of refugees from Bagasola Chad to Nigeria.”
The Force Commander expressed appreciation for the warmed reception and prevailing conducive atmosphere and good working condition for the HQ MNJTF.
He also expressed profound gratitude to the President of the Republic for all the good works he is doing in Chad.
The Chadian Defence Minister assured of the country’s support for MNJTF to achieve its mandate.
He also called for sustained clearance operations in the MNJTF Area of Operation.
“The Chadian Minister of Defence, Lieutenant General Daoud Yaya says Chad is ready to give the necessary support and cooperation to the Multinational Joint Task Force MNJTF for it to succeed in its mandate.
“He said, establishing HQ MNJTF in N`Djamena, Chad is a clear demonstration of the firm belief and support of Chad for the Force to succeed.
“He added that, the return of IDPs/refugees is as a result of prevailing relative peace and stability in the region, indication that MNJTF is working very hard towards achieving its mandates.”
He congratulated the FC on his appointment and commended his proactive ways of consultation with strategic hierarchies of both political leaders and high military commands.
“He therefore, assured the FC of the total support of the Chadian Armed Forces to the MNJTF to tackle terrorism and rid of the insurgents in the Lake Chad region.
“General Daoud Yaya urged the FC to sustain the ongoing clearance operations, using it as a prelude for major battle engagements and eventual annihilation of the terrorists and other armed criminals.”
He emphasized the need for gathering and sharing of intelligence among the MNJTF troops, adding that, “sharing of intelligence can easily facilitate and hasten the total defeat of the enemy in the battle fields.”
The visit was part of the ongoing consultations and engagement by the FC with the senior political leaders and strategic military commanders of the Troops` Contributing Countries (TCCs) of MNJTF.
The FC was accompanied on the visit by the Deputy Force Commander (DFC), Brigadier General Abdou Harouna Assoumane and some Military Staff Officers.