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CDS urges the nation to stay
From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
The Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Head of Mission, Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Amb. Mamman Nuhu, has clarified the current position of Niger Republic in the regional military cooperation, stating that the country has not completely withdrawn.
Nuhu disclosed this at a press conference in Maiduguri on Wednesday, shortly after the opening of the 5th edition of the Lake Chad Governors’ Forum.
“Niger did not totally withdraw from MNJTF. It is not true that Niger has left. Niger did not leave,” he maintained.
He said Niger’s military troops recently participated in four different operations by the MNJTF against Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Earlier, in his opening remarks at the summit attended by governors of Lake Chad nations, including Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad, and Niger, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Christopher Musa appealed to the Nigerien military not to withdraw from the MNJTF.
“We are one family. There is no dispute that we cannot resolve,” he said.
The MNJTF’s headquarters is located in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad. Cameroon, Chad, and Niger are Nigeria’s neighbours.