The Headquarters MultiNational Joint Task Force ( MNJTF) has organized an induction training for newly deployed Military Staff Officers.
The three day training was declared open yesterday at Headquarters MNTJF, Ndjemena Chad. 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.
In January 2015, the MNJTF headquarters in Baga, Nigeria, was overrun by militants of Boko Haram, who then proceeded to massacre local residents and destroy the town, displacing many citizens. At the time, only Nigerian soldiers were present in the headquarters. There were reports that they fled the attackers.
It was an ignominious moment for the MNJTF, and indeed the contributing nations. The political process of expanding the MNJTF was given new strength and energy which led to swift progress, including the expansion of troop numbers and mandate, and relocation of the HQ to N’Djamena, Chad.
The most significant structural changes for the MNJTF that emerged from the meetings in 2015 were a rise in numbers, the creation of a new Concept of Operations under the supervision of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, and the move of the HQ to N’Djamena.
It was agreed that a Nigerian officer would be the Force Commander for the duration of the mission against Boko Haram, with a Cameroonian as Deputy Commander and Chadian Chief of Staff. Major-General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Nigerian) was appointed first Commander of the rejuvenated MNJTF in May 2015.
However, his command was short-lived as in July 2015 he was appointed Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff and handed command to Major-General Iliya Abbah (Nigerian) on 31 July 2015.
Nigerian Major-General Lamidi Adeosun, was appointed MNJTF Commander in January 2016. Adeosun was in turn replaced as commander by Major-General Lucky Irabor in May 2017.In August 2018, Irabor was replaced by Major-General C.O. Ude. Maj Gen I.M.Yusuf took over from Ude, while Maj Gen J.J Ogunlade took over from Yusuf. The current force commander Maj Gen Abdul khalifah Ibrahim took over command in August 2021.
The Force is structured in four national sectors: Sector 1 (Cameroon) headquartered at Mora; Sector 2 (Chad) headquartered at Baga-Sola; Sector 3 (Nigeria) based in Monguno; and Sector 4 (Niger), based in the town of Diffa.
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There is still considerable skepticism in the international community that the new force can deliver results, and its success or otherwise as a multinational endeavor will be closely monitored. Discontent has been voiced within the coalition by Chadian president Idris Deby for shouldering a disproportionate burden of fighting armed groups and announced confining its military operations to its boundaries.
While declaring the training open, the Deputy Force Commander, Brigadier General Assoualai Blama stated that the training was aimed at acquainting the newly appointed Military Staff Officers (MSOs) with the functional realities of staff works at the HQ MNJTF and to familiarize them with the socio-cultural environment of the host Nation.
Speaking further, Brigadier General Assoualai Blama, informed the participants that induction training will facilitate their harmonious integration into their new working environment.
He enjoined the participants to put into use their various experiences in operations and administrative skill to succeed in their various roles advising them to fast track their adaptation to the diverse socio-cultural working environment of the mission.
Fourteen Military Staff Officers from Nigeria and Niger are expected to benefit from the training which will aid them in adapting and understanding the nature of the operating environment.
