Buratai: How Nigeria, Chadian troops push Boko haram terrorists to Lake Chad Islands

The offensive operations of the Nigerian troops and that of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF) have pushed Boko Haram terrorists from gaining access to the hinterland, but lurking around Tumbus (Islands) of Lake Chad Basin.

This is also made possible by increase in equipment and personnel of the Nigerian troops and that of Chadian army, which has given them tremendous strength against the terrorists along the Lake Chad Basin.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen, Tukur Buratai, said this when he paid an operational visit to troops of Sector 2 of the MJTF at Cross Kauwa, a border community located along the Lake Chad area in Kukawa local government of Borno state.

Last year, faction of Boko Haram terrorists led by Al Barnawi and supported by the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP launched several attacks on villages including Cross Kauwa and military units in Northern Borno and Lake Chad Basin.

They were however pushed back severally by combined efforts of ground and air attacks of the Nigerian military.

With the combined efforts og Nigerian and Chadian forces, Buratai said the terrorists now lurk around the borders, especially in the dangerous inaccessible areas of the Tumbus (Islands). 

Last week, the MJTF killed 39 of the terrorists and recovered several equipment during an offensive attack on the terrorists position along the Lake Chad Basin.

Addressing the Chadian troops of the MJTF at the Cross Kauwa unit, the Army Chief who was represented by the Chief of Training and Operations, Maj. Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, said Nigeria appreciated the cooperation and the fighting spirit of the Chadian troops in the fight against Boko Haram along the Lake Chad Basin.

“I commend you from your commanders to the soldiers.

“I also commiserate with you over the loss of your troops in this battle. The job you are doing is not for Chad or Nigeria, it is for humanity. I pray that God continue to support us, so that we finish this battle quickly.”

In his response, the Commander of the Chadian troops at the location, Col. Bokit Ali Djar, said the visit of the representative of the COAS and siting long with them under the tree has boosted their morale and fighting spirit.

Djar said the Chadian troops have had good working relations with Nigerian commanders in the locations, adding that as bothers Nigeria and Chad would always be committed to fighting their common enemy.

“Since we came into Nigeria, whatever we ask for is always provided for us, and we thank you very much,” he said.

Addressing troops of Special Forces at Cross Kauwa and Sector 3 at the Nigerian Army Baracks in Monguno, the Army Chief saluted them for putting Boko Haram terrorists on the back foot.

Buratai said: “It is no longer business as usual for the terrorists, because you are now dictating the pace,” he said. “You have put them on the defensive, and I urge you to continue in this direction.

“We are doing everything possible to ensure that whatever is available is putdown to the theater for your use. The challenges of lack of enough equipment will always be there. In this life you can never had everything enough, but whatever little you have you most make effective use of them. I believe all of you standing before me here should be confident of yourselves and be happy with the current situation of things in the theater.”

The Army Chief urged them not relent in their efforts, but must continue to maintain the momentum.

“You must continue to beat the iron now that it is very red, so that we can get the desired shape. We must maintain the momentum; we must never ever allow the reverse to be the case again. Now we are moving we must continue to move.

“Now we are pursuing we must continue to pursue; now we are in the offensive we must never withdraw back to defensive.

“Nigeria as a whole appreciates you and appreciates what you are doing. The leadership of the military appreciates all your efforts and is doing everything possible to laisse with the political leadership to make sure the requirement we are lacking are provided.

“You must be discipline, aggressive and bold. This is what makes soldiers in battle. You must continue to do what it takes to take the power, the breath and life out of Boko Haram,” he said.

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