Nigeria pushes for permanent headship of MNJTF
NIGERIA yesterday canvassed among fellow member countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) to assume permanent headship of the newly formed Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) with headquarters in D’Njamena, Republic of Chad.
The request was premised on the fact that Nigeria contributes more to the task force established by the leadership of the member-countries of the Commission.
President Muhammadu Buhari, who made the demand in his welcome address to the opening session of the Extra-Ordinary Summit of the Heads of States and Governments of LCBC at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja yesterday, also promised to redeem the $100 million pledged by Nigeria towards the Multi-National Joint Task Force’s (MNJTF) effort to defeat Boko Haram.
The meeting, which started around 10:50 a.m., included presidents from Niger Republic, Mahamadou Issoufou, Chad, Idriss Deby Itno, Benin Republic, Boni Yayi and Buhari.
Camerounian President, Mr. Paul Biya was represented by that country’s Minister of Defence, Mebe Ngo’o Edgard Alain
He said: “Permit me, at this juncture, to recall that Nigeria has already pledged the sum of $100 million for the smooth take off of the MNJTF. I hereby reassure you that my government will keep faith with this promise.”
Harping on the need to strengthen cross-border patrol and intelligence sharing, Buhari said that efforts must be targeted at limiting the insurgents’ capacity to access funds and weapons.
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