Niger exits MNJTF with threats to Nigeria, two other countries
By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri
The Niger Republic, has existed from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC).
According to the task force, Niger withdrew its troops quietly, without an official announcement to the Commander of MNJTF, Maj-Gen. Godwin Mutkut. Confirming Niger’s troops withdrawals on Tuesday, at N’Djamena, Chad.
“The Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists’ initial threats in the Lake Chad Basin, have been effectively addressed by MNJTF,” stating that the task force comprises Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria, and the exited Niger that yesterday joined the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), including Mali and Burkina Faso.
He further revealed that MNJTF troops stationed for critical operations at Diffa, on the borders with Nigeria, have been strategically redeployed to safeguard Niger’s infrastructural border assets.
The protected border assets with Nigeria and Chad, included oil producing facilities for exports.
He noted that this was despite the none notification of Niger from MNJTF, warning that the, as task force is not taking any chance of terrorists activities in border areas with Niger and Chad.
The security situation in Diffa province, he warned is also worrisome that could lead to Boko Haram and ISWAP to take advantage of the porous borders with Niger.
Besides the porosity of borders, the MNJTF boss further warned of an increase in the proliferation of small and light weapons (SALW) from Sahel region to Nigeria and Chad.
