By Olukayode Idowu
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, was at the headquarters of Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in N’Djamena, Chad, to honour over 6,000 gallant soldiers.
The soldiers were honoured at a medals parade held by the MNJTF to celebrate over 6,000 troops for their gallantry in the fight against insurgency around the lake chad region.
The ceremony which is conducted annually is to honour personnel that have completed their routine one-year duty at the Multi-National Joint Task Force from where soldiers are deployed to border communities in neighbouring countries.
Four countries of Chad, Cameroon, Niger Republic and Nigeria contributed troops to form the Multi-National Joint Task Force to combat incessant attacks on government forces and civilians by Boko Haram insurgents.
Governor Zulum whose state, Borno, is critical to the fight against insurgency in Lake Chad was invited by the MNJTF to serve as a special guest of honour during the medal parade.
Zulum travelled from Maiduguri on Thursday and returned the same day.
The governor in his remark commended the task force for their unquantifiable sacrifice in continued efforts to free the region of insurgents.
The governor urged the task force to sustain support for the ongoing mass surrender of insurgents while continuing their military operations against fighters unwilling to embrace peace.
He was accompanied by the theatre commander of Northeast Operation Hadin Kai, Major Gen. Christopher Musa, Borno State’s Commissioner for Local Government and Emirates Affairs, Sugun Mai Mele, and a few top government officials.
Executive Secretary Lake Chad Basin Commission and Head of Mission, Ambassador Mamman Nuhu, who was represented by the Director of Finance, Mr Nadjingar Titdjebaye, also graced the occasion.
The ceremony was attended by the Chadian Minister of Defence, Lt Gen Daoud Yaya, who was represented by Brigadier General Taher Brahim Djouma while the Chadian Chief of Defence Staff, Lt Gen Abakar Abdelkerim Daoud, was also represented by the Chadian Gendarmerie Adviser.
Also in attendance were Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff, General Leo Irabor, who was represented by Maj Gen MA Yekini, Chief of Defence Training and Operations. Cameroon Chief of Defence Staff was represented by Brigadier General Melinqui Nouma. The Chadian Minister of Security, General Idriss’ Ambassadors.
