By Abba Hamisu Sani
Africa-Press – Nigeria. The importance of the Lake Chad Basin can not be overemphasized but it underpins the livelihoods of over 30 million people, offering water, fish, livestock grazing, and irrigation for Agriculture. Beyond its economic significance, Lake Chad is a vital ecological habitat, home to diverse species and acting as a buffer against desertification.
This multifaceted utility of the Lake Chad Basin underscores the imperative of preserving its stability and prosperity.
In this interview with Africa Press the Chief Military Public Information Officer of the MultiNational Joint Task Force which comprises Nigeria, Chad, Niger Republic,Cameron, and Benin Republic Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi Spoke on the activities of the MNJTF particularly under its present Force Commander Major General Ibrahim Ali Sallau
Africa Press- The MultiNational Joint Task Force -MNJTF is responsible for providing security within the Chad Basin. What is the historical background of this very important initiative?
Chief Military Public Information Officer MNJTF
The Multinational Joint Task Force was established in 1994 as a company of the Nigerian Army with headquarters in Baga Borno State Nigeria, it was meant to counter the rising crime levels within the general area of Lake Chad. The operation was later expanded in 1998 to include one company of troops each from the countries of the Republic of Chad and Niger to address the increased cross-border crimes and the deteriorating security situation.
The situation across the Lake Chad Basin occasioned by the activities of Boko Haram terrorists warranted the operationalization of MNJTF in 2015 as a sub-regional outfit against Boko Haram terrorists.
The headquarters was then relocated to Ndjamena in Chad with Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria, and Niger deploying as sectors one, two, three, and four respectively, while the Republic of Benin assumed an observer status with only staff officers deployed at the headquarters.
The headquarters of the sectors were established in Mora Cameroon, Wagasola in Chad, Mungunu in Nigeria, and Difa in Niger Republic respectively.
It is instructive that the Multinational Joint Task Force is successful in fishing out security threats in countries belonging to two different regional blocks that are the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Economic Community of the Central African States( ECAS) to fight a common enemy the Boko Haram Terrorists.
The Public Information Officer of MNJTF further stated that the Task Force was endorsed by the United Nations and the European Union with the African Union as a coordinating platform.
The Force is partly founded by the European Union and Nigeria with Lake Chad Base Commission as the political coordinating body under the leadership of the Executive Secretary who doubles as the head of the mission.
The Multi-National Task Force operates a central command and control structure under the authority of the Force Commander whose appointment rests with Nigeria until the end of the mission with two contributing countries transferring operational authority and control of their troops to the Force Commander once deployed to the Mission.
Abubakar Abdullahi added that notwithstanding certain administrative responsibilities such as an allowance, promotion, and posting among others remain under the control of troops contributing countries.
The current Force Commander is Major General Ibrahim Sallau Ali from Nigeria.
Africa Press – What are the mandates of the MNJTF?
Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi – The mandates of the Multi-National Joint Task Force are to create a safe, secure environment in areas affected by the activities of Boko Haram and other terrorist groups.
It is also mandated to facilitate the implementation of the overall stabilization programs by Lake Chad Basin Commission member states and Benin in the affected areas including the full restoration of self-authority and return of internally displaced persons and refugees.
It is also tasked to facilitate within the limit of its capability through Humanitarian operations and delivery of assistance to the affected population.
Africa Press -What can you describe as the MNJTF’s major success since its inception?
The Multinational Joint Task Force Public Information Officer -said Since 2015 the MNJTF has conducted several small scales and major operations that include;
“Operation” Gama Aiki, operation Rawan Jada, operation Amni Fakhat, operation Y’anci one and two, operation Sharan Fagge, and operation lake sanity one.
We are currently conducting Operation Lake Serenity Two under the command of the Force Commander Major General Ibrahim Sallau Ali” He said.
Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar added that the Multi-National Task Force under Major General Sallau Ali has recorded tremendous success in Kinetic and non-kinetic operations.
About Kinetic operatio
The Force Commander in the last 10 months has achieved a significant victory, this led to the naturalization of two hundred and ninety terrorists recording two hundred and seventy-three surrendering and then three hundred and thirty-seven arrested for further investigation across different sectors of the operation.
The operation also led to the recovery of various arms and ammunition including 20 AK 47 Machine guns,5 hand gurnets, and 35 magazines among various personal items.
Additionally, the troops recovered 1,4016 rounds of ammunition of different calibers. This operation carried out within their National territories by the sectors has significantly degraded the terrorist’s ability to launch large-scale attacks on the lake forcing them to hit-and-run tactics against isolated civilian targets.
Likewise, the multi-national Task Force has conducted many non-kinetic operations notably; Operation Nasarul Salam a non kinetic approach to red the circle of terror. This psychological operation was tailored to foster surrender and destroy unity among the terrorist’s patrons.
Operation Nasarul Salam disseminated messages across the Lake Chad region in five languages; Kanuri, Hausa, Arabic, French, and English to ensure widespread comprehension. These tailored messages were air-dropped over specific islands known to have terrorists targeting them directly in their hideouts.
The operation’s impact was a fall culminating in a significant number of terrorists surrendering, this capitulation not only weakened the terrorists but also led to the recovery of a variety of arms and animations that were surrendered to troops.
Also, the same operation is not the sole non-kinetic initiative aimed at enhancing stability in the Lake Chad region supported by the partner, the European Union. The Multinational Joint Task Force has executed quick impact projects throughout the four sectors in particular about 95 quick impact projects were executed in 31 communities around Lake Chad spanning water, sanitation, health, and education sectors.
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