By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The Force Commander (FC) Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) Maj Gen Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim accompanied by the Deputy Force Commander (DFC) Brig Gen Assoualai Blama and other senior officers of MNJTF have paid an operational visit to Headquarters MNJTF Sector 1 Mora , Cameroon Republic on Tuesday.
Lieutenant Colonel Kamarudeen Adegoke, Chief of Military Public Information Office, N’Djamena, disclosed this in a statement made available to our correspondent in Maiduguri.
The statement said The Commander Sector 1 thanked the FC for providing a conducive environment for the Sector to function effectively to achieve the mandate of the MNJTF.
He assured the FC of the total commitment of the Sector to take the war to the insurgents even much more than before, as plans were already underway to end their menace.
The FC was briefed on detailed activities of the Sector including operations, achievements and challenges.
Responding, the Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Khalifah Ibrahim Abdul thanked the Sector 1 Commander, MNJTF, saying that his visit was to formally introduce the newly posted officers in DFC , MNJTF to the Sector.
He praised them for the successes recorded in recent times by the sector while commending them for their professionalism and doggedness.
General Khalifah expressed satisfaction with the level of troops dedication to duty but urged them to do more while commending the sector .
The MNJTF Commander added that his leadership reflected in the overall troops performance and aggressive posture while thanking the Republic of Cameroon for their support towards the fight against terrorists activities.
Medals and souvenirs were also presented to the officers who participated in the last Operation Lake Sanity.
In another development, as part of the operational visit to MNJTF Sector 1, the Force Commander accompanied by the Commander Sector 1 , his Chief of Staff and other senior officers paid an operational visit to the MNJTF Stabilization Forward Operation Base (FOB) in Kirawa where he was received by the Commander 26 Task Force Brigade, Brig Gen DR Dantani alongside the MNJTF FOB Commander, Capt Lyon.
The FC was briefed on the operations, successes recorded as well as the challenges of the brigade command including achievements recorded on the return of about ten thousand refugees, who were formerly in Cameroon Republic from internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps in Maiduguri city and other places back to their ancestral community/home in Kirawa.
The Brigade Task Force Commander further explained to the MNJTF Commander that some items were captured which include over five hundred (500) bicycles belonging to BH, 15 X AK 47 rifles, hundreds of assorted ammunition including 7.62mm special rounds, as well as the recovery of hundreds of cattle rustled by the Boko Haram criminals which were returned to their various owners in Cameroon and Nigeria.
Responding, the Force Commander, appreciated the efforts of the FOB Stabilization Force on the achievements recorded which has enabled the refugees to return to their various homes and allowed economic activities to thrive in his area of responsibilities.
According to the FC, the deployment of the MNJTF FOB Stabilization Force to the area and the remarkable synergy and cooperation with troops of Operation Hadin Kai has denied the Boko Haram /ISWAP Terrorists the use of the areas as a mobility corridor to ferry supplies to their men.
He promised to address the challenges presented to him as quickly as possible to improve their combat efficiency and urged them to work closely with troops of Operation Hadin Kai before addressing the Kirawa community that were led by the District Head, Mallam Abdulraham Abubakar.
Hon Lawal who spoke on behalf of the community appreciated the efforts put in place by the MNJTF and Operation Hadin Kai troops to ensure total eradication of the terrorists activities in the area while revealing that normalcy is gradually returning to the community as economic activities had picked up and farming activities had flourished.
He also said farmers had cultivated their lands spanning over 14km of land which was hitherto not possible and they are expecting a bumper harvest this year, the first time in over 9 years.
Lawal thanked the Government of Borno state for its support to the community while soliciting for more support to the community and to the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), who are complementing the efforts of the military.
The FC appreciated the members of the Kirawa community for their cooperation with the troops and enjoined them to provide timely information to troops in order to keep them secured and protect their community effectively. He also assured them of continuous commitment of the MNJTF to bring lasting peace to the community and the entire Lake Chad Basin region.
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