The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall, Alex Badeh, on Tuesday confirmed that Niger Republic and the Republic of Chad had withdrawn their troops from the Multinational Joint Task Force base following increase in the activities of the Boko Haram sect.
The countries’ decision to withdraw their troops followed the attack carried out by members of the sect on the MJTF base located just outside Baga town in Borno State last Saturday.
The base was being manned by troops from Nigeria, Niger and Chad to interdict criminal activities in the Lake Chad area. It was expanded in 2014 to curtail the activities of members of the sect in the area where the borders of the three countries intersect.
Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of an expanded emergency security meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Badeh said the two countries had not contributed troops to Baga thus leaving only Nigerian troops at the base.
He said, “No, they (Niger and Chad) have not pulled out of the multinational force because we have held several meetings. They are still part of the multinational force.
“What has been happening is that they have not contributed people to the point of Baga. Chad had people on their own side but I believe they have withdrawn.
“Niger had people with us. They too withdrew and left Nigerians only at the Multinational Joint Task Force Headquarters.”
Badeh said although he wished the border could be closed, it could be difficult doing so.
“I wish it (the border) could be closed, but how do you close such a very large border? And it is not the military duty to close border anyway,” he said.
The security chief also confirmed that there was an attack on the military base in Baga but insisted that the military was at work to reclaim the town.
Although he boasted that the town would be reclaimed, Badeh refrained from giving a time frame.
When asked what Nigerians should expect in terms of security in the New Year, Badeh said, “It will improve by God’s grace and we are working.”
Meanwhile, the military High Command in Abuja has decided to probe the Boko Haram’s attack on Baga on Saturday.
Investigations revealed that the military leadership was not satisfied with the level of resistance put up by the troops on the day of the attack.
Although, the MNJTF comprises soldiers from Nigeria, Niger, and Chad, the bulk of the soldiers and equipment come from Nigeria, which also produces the commander and the operational headquarters of the force.
Although, Cameroon is supposed to be part of the countries contributing to the MNJTF, Cameroonian soldiers have not been part of the Task Force.
It was learnt that the military leadership in Abuja was embittered by the fact that the base came under heavy and sustained attacks from the insurgents 48 hours after sophisticated weapons were supplied to the base.
It is the contention in military circles that the Baga attack shows in clear terms that weapons and equipment are not the main issues in the operation.
It was further learnt that the attack on the base barely two days after the supply of weapons to the base had fuelled suspicions in high military circles that there could be insiders’ collaboration and sabotage in the attack.
Military chiefs were said to be meeting on the issues thrown up by the Baga attack as of the time of filing this story.
When our correspondent contacted the Director, Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, on the issue, he confirmed the probe, saying that the military was interested in finding out areas where lapses occurred so that they could be addressed.
He said that the operation against the insurgency was on as the military would not relent in the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign.
Olukolade said, “We are interested in checking out areas where there are lapses so that they could be corrected.
Culled: Punch
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