The newly appointed Theatre Commander (TC) Joint Task Force North East (NE) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Major General Ibrahim Sallau Ali, paid a familiarization/operational visit to Headquarters Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) N’Djamena Chad on Tuesday 7 February 2023. The TC was received by the Force Commander (FC) MNJTF Major General Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim. After the traditional welcome courtesies, the TC was thereafter given an information/operational brief on MNJTF to acquaint him with the MNJTF operating environment as well as other issues connected to the MNJTF.
The TC in his remarks thanked the FC for the warm reception. accorded him and his team and congratulated the FC for taking the MNJTF to greater heights through the conduct of operations and for the many successes recorded by the Force in combatting the menace of terrorism and insurgency in the Lake Chad Region. He further stated that JTF (NE) OPHK under his watch will solidify the existing synergy and cooperation between the two operations. The FC in his welcome remarks, described the TC as a distinguished senior officer whose operational experience will add impetus to the ongoing fight against insurgency and terrorism in the region. He therefore had no doubt that the fight against terrorism would be reinvigorated and pledged the cooperation of MNJTF at all times.
The TC had earlier on visited the Head of Mission (HoM) MNJTF who is also Executive Secretary of Lake Chad Basin Commission, Ambassador Mamman Nuhu. He informed the HoM on the purpose of his visit and found it necessary to pay homage him. He appreciated the HoM for his strategic guidance to MNJTF and requested for support for OPHK as the two operations have joint operational areas. The HoM on his part congratulated Major General IS Ali on his well-deserved appointment and wished him well while assuring him of his support at all times.
The TC equally paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Chadian Armed Forces General Abakar Abdelkarim Daoud at the Chadian Defence Headquarters. He congratulated the CDS on his recent promotion to the rank of a five star general which he noted was a culmination of hard work and dedicated service. He paid glowing tributes to the Chadian Armed Forces for playing a stabilizing role in the Region while noting that OPHK will continue to cooperate and synergise with MNJTF and other national operations in other to bring an end to scourge of insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin Region and other areas.
The CDS in his response, stated that Chadian Armed Forces will continue to partner with Nigeria and other countries in the Sub-region until the scourge of the insurgency is destroyed. He mentioned that his doors were always open for consultations if and when the need arises. The TC rounded off his visit at Radio Ndarason International co-located with the HQ MNJTF where he was briefed by the station manager Mr. Antoine Kaburahe. He noted the wide coverage and reach of Radio Ndarason International and appreciated the cordial relationship it maintains with the MNJTF. The Theatre Commander was accompanied by the Commander Sector 3 MNJTF Major General AE Abubakar, Theatre Logistic Component Commander and other senior officers from OPHK. The Chief of Staff of the MNJTF, Col Kafine Barka, Nigerian Defence Attache to Chad , Col OU Eke and other senior officers from the MNJTF were also present. Highlight of the visit was the presentation of souvenir and group photographs. The visit was successful and hitch free. The TC has since rejoined his Headquarters in Maiduguri , Nigeria.