Chiefs of Defence Staff of member countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission are meeting in Abuja to review the security situation in the region, which had suffered from Boko Haram insurgency.
The Chief of Defence Staff of Benin Republic, ministers, security chiefs and experts from countries under the commission are attending the 4-day meeting.
The meeting, which began on Thursday, is expected to consider earlier deliberations of security experts on the security situation in the region.
The security chiefs would deliberate on strategise to deal with remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists and other forms of criminality in the region as well as resettlement of displaced persons back to their communities.
In a remark, Nigeria’s Defence Chief, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin called on political leaders in the region to render more support to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to stamp out terrorism.
“ We will continue to impress on our political leadership and partners all over the world that they continue to provide us with the needed support so that we can successfully contain the menace of terrorism in our region,’’ he said.
Olonisakin noted that the Boko Haram terrorists no longer hold any territory, but have been scattered across the region, carrying out attacks on soft targets.
“It is obvious that the range of threats confronting the region is so multifaceted that the solution to them requires a multi-dimensional approach by various member states.
“Our collective efforts in the region over the years had achieved a lot of successes by improving security in the region.
“I am confident that we can do more and achieve the mandate of the Multinational Joint Task Force, thereby fulfilling our collective desire to eradicate terrorism and other forms of criminality in the Lake Chad basin,” he said.
The CDS identified the challenges facing the MNJTF to include inadequate logistics, manpower and poor communication network.
“In spite of these challenges, it is my firm belief that when all efforts are combined in a holistic manner, we will be able to defeat terrorism and restore peace and order in the Lake Chad Basin region.”
Also speaking, Maj.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, the Commander of the MNJTF, noted that the Boko Haram terrorists dislodged from their strongholds were moving towards Nigeria/Cameroon border and the borders of other countries in search of logistics and sanctuaries.
“The continuous attempt by Boko Haram terrorists to receive re-enforcement and logistics from the Islamic State elements, fleeing from Libya through Mali, to the Island of Lake Chad has led to the readjustment in deployment of troops to block the axis of Niger/Chad borders suspected as the route being used clandestinely to infiltrate.
“As always, the MNJTF remains resolute to use all available means at its disposal with the assured support of the military and political leadership of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin Republic in the onerous task of stamping out terrorism from its area of responsibility.
“This is to pave the way for the return to normal life of the victims and restoration of national and local authorities in the hitherto ungoverned areas within the Lake Chad basin area,’’ Adeosun said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a communiqué is expected at the end of the meeting. (NAN)
