Buhari, Lake Chad leaders devise new plans to defeat Boko Haram
In a bid to put an end to continuous gruesome attacks by Boko Haram on military bases in the Northeast of Nigeria, President Buhari has gone into consultation with leaders of countries surrounding the Lake Chad region.
The move is to renew the alliance of member countries in the Lake Chad Basin Commission, and to also devise new strategies with which to defeat the terrorist group.
The summit which was chaired by President Buhari, was attended by President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger Republic, President Idris Deby of Chad, and Prime Minister of Cameroon, Philemon Yang, who represented President Paul Biya.
“As you are aware and have witnessed in recent times, there are new developments of security concern in our sub-region. The region in the recent past has witnessed increasing attacks, particularly on military formations by elements of the Boko Haram terrorists,” Buhari said.
In an effort to effectively fight the ravaging state of terrorism in Nigeria, a joint security agreement had been entered into by Chad, Niger and Cameroon to join forces with Nigeria in eliminating the threat. The countries who were also at risk of being infiltrated by Boko Haram had offered military units that gave rise to the Multi-National Joint Task Force.
The joint force was instrumental in the near-defeat of the terrorist group which has suddenly come back in defiance of the military personnel in the area.
President Buhari charged the Heads of governments in the gathering to act with urgency in addressing the recent upsurge in terrorist activities in the region.
A joint communique by the leaders pledged their determination in a renewed assault on terrorism and criminal activities in the region until peace is restored.
President Buhari commended the leaders for their untiring efforts and commitment, vowing that together, they shall restore the Lake Chad Region to its glorious days.
