The Niger Republic junta has ordered the country’s Arm Forces to return to the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) after pulling out a year ago in the aftermath of toppling democracy in July 2023, abandoning the cooperation, following a threat to invade the country by the President Bola Tinubu-led Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) is a combined multinational formation, comprising units, mostly military, from Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria. It is headquartered in N’Djamena and is mandated to bring an end to the Boko Haram insurgency.
The task force was first organised as a solely Nigerian force in 1994, during the administration of Sani Abacha, to “checkmate banditry activities and to facilitate free movement” along its northern border. In 1998 it was expanded to include units from neighbouring Chad and Niger with the purpose of dealing with common cross-border security issues in the Lake Chad region, with its headquarters in the town of Baga, Borno State.
Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Abubakar Badaru, disclosed in Abuja on Wednesday that the decision to return was taken by the Nigerien authorities after Nigeria’s Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa visited his counterpart in Niamey last month.
Badaru, who spoke through the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Abubakar Kana, noted that Nigerien troops left MNJTF after a coup d’etat against ousted President Bazoum Mohammed.
“The return of Nigerien troops to the MNJTF will add impetus to the ongoing campaign against Boko Haram terrorists.
“We commend the troops for significantly decimating the terror group and recently freeing 34 captives comprising women and children in the Lake Chad basin,” Badaru said.
He added that the successes recorded by the MNJTF has compelled over 100,000 terrorists to surrender.
He concluded by reiterating that “The Nigerian Government will continue to train the repentant terrorists in various skills and get them integrated into the society,”