New commander named for multi-national JTF

Tukur Yusuf Buratai, a major-general in the Nigerian army, has been appointed the force commander of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

According to Chris Olukolade, a major-general and director of defence information, who made the announcement on Wednesday, Buratai has already assumed duties at the new headquarters in N’Djamena, capital of Chad Republic.

“The reorganised MNJTF arrangement is in line with the decisions of member countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), which include Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroun, with Benin Republic as a honorary member,” he said.

“The arrangement has the backing of partners in the fight against Boko Haram namely; France, the UK and the USA.

“The MNJTF has now been sectionised into three sectors to achieve more effect in its operations with one of the sectors headquarters retained in Baga.

“The MNJTF was formed as a result of the need by the LCBC member countries to pool their effort together in a bid to provide a common and coordinated solution to the security challenges in the Lake Chad Basin region, especially the security challenges posed by terrorists in the region and beyond. The MNJTF will work and collaborate with the forces of the member countries in the fight against terrorists.”

Buratai was a director at the defence headquarters, Abuja before his new appointment.

He had at various times served as the commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry and sometimes the brigade commander at two Brigade, Nigerian army as well as commander, Joint Task Force, Operation PULO SHIELD.