The ongoing confrontation between Russia and Ukraine, together with other violent incidents in the Sahel region of West Africa, has made the Boko Haram terrorist activity in the Lake Chad Basin region even worse, President Muhammadu Buhari, has said.
He made the disclosure, yesterday, in his opening address at the 16th Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, held at the State House Conference Centre of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Buhari, who is also the summit’s chairman, asserted that fighters and weapons are already entering the region via Russia and Ukraine, escalating the spread of small arms and light weapons.
He said this situation necessitates a reawakening of border security in the region’s member states.
The President also pointed out that despite significant efforts to weaken Boko Haram and other violent extremist organisations in the area, terrorist threats continue.
“I am glad to inform my dear brothers that in keeping with that decision, the MNJTF has since then, successfully conducted three major operations: Ops‘YANCIN TAFKI (I&II) and Ops Lake Sanity I, with, the fourth one, Ops Lake Sanity II, being planned. The next phase of the operation will take cognisance of lessons learnt from previous exercises and effectively consolidate the gains attained by preceding Ops.
“I am glad to note that during the execution of Ops Lake Sanity I, regrouping terrorists in the Lake Chad Islands were effectively decimated.
“It must, however, be stated that despite the successes recorded by the gallant troops of the MNJTF and the various ongoing national operations in the region, terrorist threats still lurk in the region.
“Regrettably, the situation in the Sahel and the raging war in Ukraine serve as major sources of weapons and fighters that bolster the ranks of the terrorists in the Lake Chad Region. A substantial proportion of the arms and ammunition procured to execute the war in Libya continues to find its way to the Lake Chad region and other parts of the Sahel.
“Weapons being used for the war in Ukraine and Russia are equally beginning to filter to the region.
“This illegal movement of arms into the region has heightened the proliferation of small arms and light weapons which continues to threaten our collective peace and security in the region. There is, therefore, the urgent need for expedited collaborative actions by our border control agencies and other security services to stop the circulation of all illegal weapons in the region”, he said.
Buhari stressed that government presence must be positively felt in the area to restore the confidence of citizens in the ability of the state to protect them and provide basic infrastructure for all.
He said: “It is in view of the foregoing, that the implementation of the Regional Strategy for the Stabilization, Recovery and Resilience of the Boko Haram affected Areas of the region must gain further traction without any delay.
“I am glad to note the development, costing and validation of the territorial action plans for the eight Boko Haram most affected territories of the region.
“These action plans which are the basic building blocks for the implementation of the strategy for the developmental needs of the people of the area. While we commend these initiatives, we must immediately commence efforts at their operationalization.
“In this regard, I urge our partners to continue to support us as we redouble the ongoing efforts at developing the region, to win the hearts and minds of the citizens in the area.”
He emphasised further that the region around Lake Chad is, indeed, dealing with a complicated security scenario that is highly dynamic, continuously changing, and increasingly influenced by the effects of climate change and other causes, including, tragically, some external ones.
Due to these reasons, he said, “it is essential that we routinely evaluate the development and anti-terrorism policies in place in the area.
“We must continue together to proffer ingenious solutions to the challenges confronting us. We must, through the commission, continue to make concerted efforts to provide the desired leadership, and ownership and ensure that our experts and troops are adequately motivated and supported to achieve our objectives.
“We must strive to continue to view our region through the lens of equity, fairness, diversity, and inclusion. It is imperative that we all see ourselves reflected in the kind of leadership we provide for the region. We must continue to support and contribute to the success of the organisation. We all must rise and face the challenges of the region headlong in order to deliver the bright future we envisage for our region.”
He noted that although budgetary concerns remain a challenge for all member countries, considering the declining global inflows and increasing demands, “we must, however, never lose sight of the vision of the Founding Fathers of the commission. We must continue to strive and make collaborative efforts at upholding the ideals for which the LCBC in its near 60 years of existence has continued to pursue.”
He applauded the gallantry of the troops in the field, ensuring the safety and stability of the region, stating: “We recommit ourselves to sustaining the ongoing counterterrorism efforts by providing you with the requisite needs to function optimally. I wish to assure you that your welfare would continue to remain our priority. I urge you all to rededicate yourselves as we take the final push towards eradicating terrorism from our region. Together, we shall restore and transform the Lake Chad region to its former glory.”
Meanwhile, in his welcome address to the Summit, the Executive Secretary of the LCBC, MammanNuhu, disclosed that Nigeria had remitted a total of $209,075,748 to the funding of the MNJTF between 2015 and 2021.
“I want to avail myself of this opportunity to express our deep appreciation to your Excellencies for your unwavering support to your respective MNJTF sectors, regardless of other challenges that equally demand similar support from you.
“Special thanks also to the chairman of the summit, for his tireless support to the MNJTF, the last remittance of the sum of $10,500,000 on April 6, 2021, brought the total direct disbursement of Nigeria to the MNJTF to $209,075,748 from 2015 to 2021”, he disclosed.
The event had Presidents and Heads of State of the six member-states in attendance, with the exception of President Paul Biya of Cameroon, who was represented by one of his ministers.
Those in physical attendance were President of the Central African Republic, Prof. Faustine Archange Touadera; President and Head of State of Niger Republic, Mohamed Bazoum; President of the Republic of Benin, Patrice Tallon; President of the Transition Military Council of Chad, MahamatIdriss DebyItno; President of the Republic, Head of State, Mohamed Al-Menfi; chairman, Presidential Council of Libya.