The Federal Government has
said that tremendous progress has been made by the security forces in
the ongoing Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency operations (CT
COIN) in parts of the North-East, with only minor challenges of Boko
Haram remnants, landmines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
To this end, the Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffery Onyeama, has disclosed that government is
discussing with China and other friendly countries for the supply of
required arms and equipment needed to finish off the terrorists.
Onyema disclosed this on Friday
during a media chat in Abuja on the ongoing 2nd Regional Security
Summit with the theme: “Consolidating Collective efforts for Regional
Peace and Development”.
He stated this in response to
the request by the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) for a number
of platforms, weapons, and logistics required to sustain the ongoing
operations in the North East and Lake Chad Basin area that has
contiguous borders with Niger, Chad and Cameroun.
“The MNJTF has made tremendous
progress in the last one year. Like Mr. President alluded there was at a
time about 14 LGAs were under the Boko Haram control but today they are
no longer in control. We are also working together with the frontline
states in the areas of intelligence sharing. So in the military
dimension we are going to look at the mechanism of cooperation and
coordination.
“On the need for more weapons
and others, we are engaging with various partners like China, which has
asked us to indicate where we will need military assistance as well as
other Western countries. The goodwill is there for assistance from our
friends and partners. So it’s just the resources and process to get
those equipment,” he said.
The Commander of MNJTF,
Maj-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, had earlier at the summit disclosed that the
regional military body made up of the troops from the member countries
of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LBC), is in need of lift capability,
IEDs/Mine Detection capability, and other logistic requirements.
Adeosun also noted that
despite the tremendous success in defeating the Boko Haram terrorists in
the past one year, there is a need for more financial resources to
sustain security around the strategic region.
He listed some of challenges
confronting them to include; “inadequate Lift Capability, Limitation on
IEDs/Mine Capability, Inadequate Amphibious Equipment and Lack of Flat
Bottom Boat, Lack of Air Capability, Difficulty in Sustaining Troops”.
He went further to recommend
that “the MNJTF lift capability should be enhanced by the troop
contributing countries; mine/IEDs detection and destruction equipment
and capability should be enhanced across the sectors”.
He also requested for
“adequate troops’ sustenance in terms of operational allowances, ration
and fast-moving medical supplies should be ensured; flat bottom boats
with outboard engines should be provided form MNJTF effective operations
within the Lake Chad Islands.
“International organisations
and other relevant partners should be encouraged to redeem their pledges
for assistance in the provision of support to MNJTF and in support of
humanitarian activities in the liberated areas within MNJTF Area of
Responsibility; and the Heads of States should approve the upgrade of
Sub Sector 3 to Sector 4 with a strength of 2000 troops as proposed”.
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