The Chairman of the Lake Chad Basin Commission Governors’ Forum (LCBCGF) and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, has pledged maximum political and institutional support to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to enable it fulfil its mandate of combating terrorism and restoring security across the Lake Chad Basin.
Buni made the pledge after receiving a security briefing at the Headquarters of the MNJTF on the sidelines of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum hosted in N’Djamena, Chad.
The Acting Chief Military Public Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Iweha Ikedichi Onyenonachi, disclosed this in a press statement, noting that the Yobe State Governor commended the MNJTF for what he described as tangible improvements in security across the Lake Chad Basin Area.
The LCBCGF Chairman, however, stressed that more efforts were required to further strengthen security and enable the full benefits of the Commission’s developmental initiatives to be realised.
Buni particularly underscored the need for troops to maintain a stronger presence on the islands and other strategic territories within the Lake Chad Basin, urging the MNJTF to expedite action in this regard.
He also revealed that discussions were ongoing with the political leadership of the Republic of Niger over its possible return to the MNJTF, noting that the absence of Nigerien forces had created porous spaces which terrorists could exploit for movement, concealment and cross-border criminal activities.
The Governor expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the exclusive funding of Operation LAKE SANITY III on behalf of the MNJTF Troop Contributing Countries, describing the support as a demonstration of the President’s commitment to improving security and promoting development and commercial activities across the Lake Chad Basin.
Buni said he would brief the President on areas requiring further improvement upon his return to Nigeria to facilitate enhanced socio-economic activities in the region.
The LCBCGF Chairman also commended the foresight of the founding fathers of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the MNJTF, pledging to mobilise the necessary political will to sustain the Force’s operations and strengthen efforts against Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The commitment, he said, was aimed at consolidating security gains and supporting the MNJTF in curbing terrorist infiltration and cross-border activities across the Lake Chad Basin.
