Force Commander in Diffa
The outgoing Force Commander (FC), Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Maj. Gen. Abdul Khalifa Ibrahim has concluded his farewell tour of troops in the Task Force with a visit to Sector 4 in Diffa, Niger Republic.
A statement by Lt. Col. Kamarudeen Adegoke, the Chief Military Public Information Officer of MNJTF, said outgoing FC was accompanied on the visit on Thursday by the Deputy Force Commander (DFC) Brig Gen Assoualai Blama and other senior officers of the Task force.
“The FC and his entourage were received on arrival at Diffa airport by Commander Sector 4 , Col Maj Mamman Sani Kiaou, Commander Zone 5 and other senior officers of the Sector.
“The FC was briefed by the Sector Commander who confirmed the relative peace being enjoyed within his general area of responsibility but said that the main purpose of the interaction today is to appreciate , thank and pay tribute to the outgoing FC.
“He described the outgoing FC as a courageous and determined General who wanted stability in the Lake Chad Basin region, he said he is proud to have served under him, He reiterated the commitment of the FC at restoring peace in the Lake Chad Basin region and confirmed that the terrorists potency has been greatly diminished and lack the courage to face the troops except sneaky attacks.”
The Sector Commander further said that the Sector had always gotten the required support from HQ MNJTF, particularly from the FC.
He assured the FC of Sector 4 continuous partnership with other sectors to carry out the mission of the MNJTF of total eradication of terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin region, and wished the FC on behalf Nigerien Military of more accompolisments in his new assignment.
In his response, the FC who congratulated the Chief of Defence Staff of Nigerien Armed Forces , Lt Gen Salifou Mody on his recent promotion, paid tribute to him for his outstanding leadership and his guidance to the FC during his tenure.
“The FC then thanked the Commander Sector 4 for his loyalty, courage and superb leadership of the Sector, he described Sector 4 of MNJTF as a strategic part of the MNJTF mission since it is the Tactical Headquarters of the Force, he said there has been a lot of infrastructure development in the Sector and the collaboration with partners as also improved the operational efficiency of the Sector.
“He implored the Sector to continue to cooperate with other sectors in other to completely rout out the remnants of the terrorists in the Lake Chad Basin region. He said it made him proud that the Sector is capable of carrying out Special Forces operation behind enemy lines.
“He appreciated the Sector for their recent Special Joint operations with Sector 3 MNJTF (Nigeria) which has further degraded the adversary and induced the surrender of thousands of BHTs, their families and collaborators in the last two months. He said the work of Sector 4 has led to the return of internally Displaced persons to Nguimi, Baroua, Bosso among other places. He pointed out that Agriculture and Commercial activities is picking up in the areas and life is gradually returning to normal,” the statement added
It also noted that the FC praised the Sector for the tremendous Civil -Military Cooperation activities going on in the areas that has brought the civil populace closer to the Security Forces and urged it to sustain the tempo.
While praising the stabilizing role being played by Republic of Niger in the sub-region, he further enjoined them to put more pressure on the insurgents until they are finally defeated.
During the farewell visit, the FC and his entourage visited the Sector 4 military cemetery to respect to fallen heroes who he described as “Heroes of Freedom”. Prayers were offered for the reposed of thier souls.
