By Augustine Ehikioya
Towards ending insurgency in the Lake Chad Region, the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has continued its onslaught against Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram (BH) Terrorists and neutralized 22 of the terrorists.
Through its Operation SHARAN FAGE, having MNJTF troops drawn from Sector 3 Monguno (Nigeria) and Sector 4 Diffa (Niger), the Task Force also arrested 17 Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) suspects.
The troops were said to have met strong resistance from the terrorists, who launched several mortar attacks, laid Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along the troops route of advance and also attacked with Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs).
This was disclosed in a statement by the Chief of Military Public Information, HQ MNJTF, N’Djamena, Chad, Colonel Muhammad Dole, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA).
The Force Commander, MNJTF, Major General Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim, according to the statement, has vowed that the year 2022 will be a decision year in order to uproot criminals from their hideouts in the Lake.
The statement reads “However, the troops brought superior fire power to bear on the insurgents forcing them to abandon their enclaves. Operation SHARAN FAGE was massively supported by the air component of Operation HADIN KAI and other partners with air assets and surveillance equipment.
“This Support spurred the determined troops to successfully clear enemy hideouts in and around Arege, Gashigar, Asaga, Kainoa, Bana and kamagunma among other general areas.
“In the course of this operation, 22 Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised, 5 of their gun trucks destroyed, 5 motorcycles and several logistic bunkers were destroyed while 8 AK47 Rifles were recovered. Regrettably, 6 members of the JTF (2 officers and 4 other ranks) from both countries paid the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty with about 16 wounded in action. 17 suspects were arrested in the general area of operations and are being profiled.
“On Wednesday, 29 December, 2021, the Force Commander, MNJTF, Maj Gen Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim on a debriefing mission visited the MNJTF Headquarters in Diffa, Niger Republic where he addressed the officers and men after receiving an after action brief by the Operational Commanders.
“He commended the uncommon display of gallantry professionalism and courage by the troops who have taken the fight to the criminals hideouts in their areas.
“He said after listening to the brief, that a lot still needs to be done but this was a good starting point. He promised to mobilise more equipment and other operational enablers to the Sectors.
“He declared year 2022 as a year of decision for the MNJTF as he vowed to uproot the criminals from their hideouts in the Lake.
“He paid tribute to the fallen heroes whom he described as martyrs of freedom. He appealed to the people of the Lake Chad Basin to continue to support the MNJTF and to bring forward information.
“He further assured them of the MNJTF resolve to clear the operational area and make it safe for all in the coming year in compliance with directives of the Service Chiefs of the Lake Chad Basin Countries.”
The statement noted that the operation also created a favourable atmosphere under which the festivities marking the 63rd Anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Niger was peacefully conducted on 18 December, 2021 in Diffa, with “His Excellency, President Mohamed Bazoum in attendance. It should be noted that this was the first such celebration in many years.”
On the side line of the visit, the statement said, the FC alongside other MNJTF senior officers decorated some rotating staff of the MNJTF Sector 4 with the MNJTF medal of service.
“He thanked them for their meritorious service. The visit was rounded with a virtual conference with Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs of the African Union Security Council in Addis Ababa who thanked the FC and DFC for their untiring efforts and asked that his best wishes and End of Year/New Year greetings be passed to all members of the MNJTF in all the countries.
“He charged the MNJTF to do all it can within its powers to end the crisis in the Lake Chad Basin area soonest. He assured of the continuous support of the AU Headquarters in achieving this,” it stated.
The MNJTF Force Commander was accompanied on the visit by the Deputy Force Commander MNJTF, Gen Abdou Assoumane (Niger) and other key commanders of the MNJTF.