TERRORISM…Like Father, President Itno Takes Battle To Lake Chad

Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Derby Itno has followed the example of his late father by relocating to the Lake Chad region to launch military offensives against the Boko Haram terror group.

The terrorist group had launched an attack on Chadian cities, Bohana and Barkaram, killing civilians and military personnel as well.

Angered by the attack, President Itno relocated to the Lake Chad region just as his father did previously and launched weeks of offensives against Boko Haram.

The late Chadian President Idris Déby, Itno’s father, was known to have led multiple military operations against various terrorist groups in the Lake Chad region. His government was actively involved in combating Boko Haram and other extremist groups, particularly from around 2015 onwards. Déby’s forces participated in regional coalitions, including the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which was established to tackle the threats posed by Boko Haram and ISIS-affiliated groups.

He died of injuries sustained in one of such campaigns in April 2021, and his son succeeded him.
Recently, the Republic of Chad said it was considering withdrawing from the Multinational Joint Task Forces (MNJTF) set up to fight terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin.

The country cited a need for more commitment from other task force members, apparently Nigeria.
In a statement issued by the Directorate of Communications of the Presidency of the Republic of Chad, the country promised to fight the terrorist group head-on.

The country said their president, Mahamat Idriss Derby Itno, was worried about the passive approach to the war against terrorist groups, especially Boko Haram, which had wreaked havoc on Chadian troops and prompted the President to lead the war from the front this time to repel the terrorists.

Chadian authorities said among its three main objectives was to “consider the withdrawal of Chad from the MNJTF, given the lack of pooling of effort, as observed as always unfortunately on the ground, in the face of this common enemy. This force created to pool efforts and intelligence seems to be falling into lethargy.”

The directorate had informed the international community that President Itno, who is the supreme commander of the Chadian Armed Forces, had been staying since October 28, 2024, on the borders of Lake Chad, following the attacks on October 27 by the Boko Haram sect on a position of the Chadian national army in Barkaram.

It said, “After seeing the extent of damage, burying his brothers in arms who fell defending the motherland and instructing rapid and optimal care for the wounded, the head of state moved to the local command centre and personally led the response,” it disclosed.

The Chadian president and his forces are prepared to root out the terrorists as they launch the Haskanite Operation to track down the attackers in their last hiding places and avenge the Chadian troops’ killing as well as eliminate the remnants of the Boko Haram sect.

LEADERSHIP reports that countries contributing troops include Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria, and its mandate is to create a safe environment, reduce violence against civilians, facilitate stabilisation programmes, and conduct humanitarian operations.

Meanwhile, a Nigerian government delegation led by the national security adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, met with the president of Chad, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
LEADERSHIP recalls that about 40 Chadian soldiers were killed on Sunday, 27 October 2024, at the island Barkaram, a location close to the Nigeria and Niger border.

Following the attack on the Chadian military base by suspected terrorists, the Chadian government announced the decision to pull out of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

The delegation included Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, Force Commander of MNJTF, Maj Gen Ali Salau, and other senior security officials.

A statement by the MNJTF on its official X handle, formerly Twitter, said the delegation delivered a written message from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to President Déby Itno.

According to the statement, President Tinubu, in the message, expressed condolences and unwavering support to the Chadian President and people following the recent terrorist attack on Barkaram Island, which claimed the lives of several Chadian soldiers.

“This meeting underscores the strong ties between Chad and Nigeria, especially in addressing regional security challenges and combating terrorism.

“Both nations remain committed to strengthening collaboration to promote peace and stability in the Lake Chad Basin region,” it said.