Badeh urges regional collaboration to end terrorism

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh has issued a rallying call for concerted action to end the menace of terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) and Benin Republic.

He spoke yesterday in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the extraordinary summit of Chiefs of Defence Staffs (CDSs) of Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) and Benin.

He said: “This meeting which is to operationalize the MNJTF to fight terrorism in the sub-region is very crucial as the extra ordinary summit of Heads of states and government of Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin scheduled for Thursday would bring out some fundamental decisions that would help in the operationalization of the MNJTF.”

Badeh condemned the menace and havoc perpetrated by terrorists that have ravaged the region, pointing out that; “we shall continue to condemn the reprehensive and atrocious activities of the Boko Haram in our country.”

He noted that: “This therefore brings to the fore the urgent need for closer collaboration between us to curb this menace through the operationalisation of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF).”

Badeh explained that: “If there is any time for us to rise in one voice irrespective of our differences, it is now,” adding that: “it is very important for us to build enduring structures that will have pragmatic value on the LCBC member nations and Benin.”

Badeh pointed out that they were to: “resolve the thorny issues of terrorism and streamline our collective responses and agree on far reaching decisions that will give a focus to our collaborative.”

The meeting is attended by the CDS’ of Cameroon, Lt-Gen. Rene Claude-Meka, Niger Lt-Gen Garba Seyni, Tchad Lt-Gen Brahimi Seid Mahamat, and Benin represented by Brig-Gen Laurent Amoussou.