TheCable

The Nigeria Army has dismissed the claim that Chadian forces are occupying and operating within Nigerian territories on the fringes of Lake Chad region.

At a press briefing in Borno on Friday, Sagir Musa, director of army public relations, said the clarification was necessary to correct the impression that the Nigerian forces were not on ground and ready to join in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgent in some areas around the Lake Chad region.

He said the army and the Chadian forces had been working together under the multinational joint task force which has its headquarters in N’Djamena, Chad.

He said the recent Chadian operation where many Boko Haram fighters were killed took place in their own territory, adding that they did not cross into Nigeria’s territory.

“The Nigerian Army’s attention has been drawn to the said statement now circulating on social media claiming – the security and Defence forces of Chad are deeply stationed in the islands of Niger and Nigeria wanted to handover to the respective army (sic) of these friendly nations,” he said.

“Nigerian Army wishes to state that there are no Chadian or any other foreign country’s troops on the Nigerian side of the Lake Chad or in any other part of the Nigerian territory.

“As a responsible organisation, the Nigerian Army finds it necessary to clear the wrong impression or misinformation for history and posterity as well as to avoid spreading falsehood and mischievous publications.

“The operation was especially welcomed and supported by the Nigerian Army because it would deny the insurgent’s rear and logistics bases in Chad from where they often plan and launched attacks into Nigeria.

“It is hoped that the Chadian forces will sustain operations on their side of the border to permanently deny Boko Haram criminals of rear bases from where they can launch operations into Nigeria.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Chadian Operation BOMA WRATH took place only in Chadian territory and not on Nigerian territory.

“The Chadian security and Defence forces did not cross into Nigerian territory during the operation and thus there are no Chadian troops holding any Nigerian territory.

“The Nigerian Military is fully committed and in total support of the continued cooperation between Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria to finally and speedily decimate Boko Haram/ISWAP criminals and put final end to terrorism in the region.

“Members of the public are requested to disregard the claim and misleading information that – the Chadian security and Defence forces are deeply stationed in the islands of Nigeria waiting to handover.”

On Saturday, the Chadian troops had launched an offensive against Boko Haram in the Goje-Chadian area of Sambisa forest, capturing an arms store believed to be one of the largest owned by the insurgents