The Nigerian Army has refuted claims by a Chadian Army Officer that
the Chadian Armed Forces were occupying some Nigerian territories on
fringes of Lake Chad region waiting for handover.
Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, disclosed
this Friday; while briefing journalists at Army Special Forces Super
Camp, Ngamdu in Kaga Council of Borno state.
Musa said the clarification was necessary to correct the impression
that the Nigerian forces were not on ground in some areas around the
Lake Chad region.
He disclosed that Nigerian military and the Chadian forces had been
working together under the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF),
with Headquarters at N’Djamena, the Chadian capital.
According to him, the statement allegedly released in Baga-Sola
Headquarters Sector 2 MNJTF Chad by a Chadian senior officer, Col.
Benendona Aguna, April 9, 2020 was not correct.
Musa said: “The Nigerian Army’s attention has been drawn to the said
statement now circulating on social media claiming – ‘the security and
Defence forces of Chad are deeply stationed in the islands of Niger
and Nigeria wanted to handover to the respective army (sic) of these
friendly nations.’
“Nigerian Army wishes to state that there is no Chadian or any other
foreign country’s troops on Nigerian side of the Lake Chad or in any
other part of the Nigerian territory.
“As a responsible organisation, Nigerian Army finds it necessary to
clear the wrong impression or misinformation for history and
posterity.
“This is as well as to avoid spreading falsehood and mischievous publications.”
Musa said the Chadian operation on Chadian side of the Lake area; was
of the knowledge and support of Nigeria in line with the existing
multilateral cooperation among four countries.
He said the support was in honour and cement the existing
multi-lateral cooperation between the Lake Chad Basin Commission
(LCBC) countries under MNJTF.
According to Musa; “The operation was especially welcomed and
supported by the Nigerian Army because it would deny the insurgent’s
rear and logistics bases in Chad from where they often plan and
launched attacks into Nigeria.
“It is hoped that the Chadian forces will sustain operations on their
side of the border to permanently deny Boko Haram criminals of rear
bases from where they can launch operations into Nigeria.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Chadian Operation BOMA WRATH took
place only in Chadian territory not on Nigerian territory.
“The Chadian security and Defense forces did not cross into Nigerian
territory during the operation and thus there are no Chadian troops
holding any Nigerian territory.”
On MNJTF operations in Lake Chad Basin, Sagir also noted: “The
Nigerian Military is fully committed and in total support of the
continued cooperation between Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria to
speedily decimate Boko Haram/ISWAP Criminals and put final end to
terrorism in this region.”
He therefore; urged the public to disregard the claim of misleading
information that – the Chadian security and Defense forces are deeply
stationed on the islands of Nigeria waiting for handover.
