- The Republic of Benin has deployed 150 soldiers to the Multinational Joint Task Force battling Boko Haram terrorists in the Lake Chad region
- The troops are reportedly composed of eight officers and 142 soldiers, and they have already arrived at the MNJTF’s headquarters
- Benin is the fifth West African country to join the MNJTF besides Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad
150 soldiers have been deployed to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) fighting Boko Haram insurgents in the Lake Chad region, by the Republic of Benin, Premium Times reports.
The development was made public by the MNJTF’s chief military public information officer, Col. Mustapha Anka, in a statement he issued in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, on Thursday, November 16.
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NAIJ.com gathers that Anka gave the composition of the additional troops as eight officers and 142 soldiers.
He further disclosed that the soldiers had already arrived at the MNJTF’s Chad headquarters.
Troops of the MNJTF pictured riding in a convoy (Photo credit: AIT)
Anka quoted the force commander, Lucky Irabor, as urging the troops to be good ambassadors of their country.
He stated: “Gen. Irabor reminded the troops of their tasks, which involves garrison duties for the MNJTF.
“The commander thanked the president of the Benin Republic, Patrice Talon, the government and good people of the republic, for their unflinching support in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in the Lake Chad region.”
Besides Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad, Benin is the fifth West African country to join the MNJTF.
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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) donated 15 tactical vehicles and 30 motorbikes to the Multinational Joint Task Force in order to enhance the troops’ movement in the battle against Boko Haram insurgents.
The development followed a visit by the Commission to the MNJTF headquarters in Ndjamena, the capital of Chad.
Nigerian Air Force operations against Boko Haram - on NAIJ.com TV:
Source: Naija.ng
ROSY CREST
Thursday, 16 November 2017