By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd) OFR has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation and collective security emphasising the importance of sustained collaboration in degrading terrorist networks and stabilising the Lake Chad Basin.
He stated this during his recently concluded official visit to N’Djamena, Republic of Chad at the meeting of Ministers of Defence of Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) under the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) held recently.
The meeting which brought together Defence Ministers and representatives from member states including Chad, Cameron, Nigeria and Benin alongside senior military leadership, intelligence chiefs and key stakeholders involved in regional security operations provided a strategic platform to review ongoing operations and strengthen collective efforts in addressing terrorism and cross- border threats in the Lake Chad Basin.
The meeting further enabled the Ministers to consider reports presented by the Chiefs of Defence Staff and Heads of Intelligence and Security Agencies focusing on the operational effectiveness of the MNJTF and emerging security dynamics within the region. Also issues of frank exchanges on critical challenges, including force deployment, funding constraints and the evolving threat environment were discussed during the closed session of the meeting.
Musa commended the government and people of Chad for hosting the meeting and for their continued leadership within the MNJTF framework, with also the participating Ministers expressing appreciation to the President of Chad and Chairman of the LCBC Summit for his support in advancing regional peace and security efforts.
