The Borno State Government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), pledging continued support to ensure the total restoration of peace and security within the Lake Chad Basin.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum gave the assurance during a high-level meeting with the newly appointed Force Commander of the MNJTF, Major General Saidu Tanko Audu. The visit served as a formal familiarisation for General Audu, who assumed command of the regional force on November 13, 2025.
Governor Zulum congratulated the Force Commander on his appointment, attributing the current atmosphere of development in Borno State to the collaborative efforts of security agencies. He noted that the state’s progress is built upon the foundation of peace established through joint operations.
“I wish to express my gratitude to the security agencies for their support to the state government, which remains the basis for the peace and development Borno State continues to enjoy,” Governor Zulum stated. “We recall with pride our previous collaborations, including the state’s support towards the success of Operation Lake Sanity 1 and 2, which are flagship operations of the MNJTF.”
Describing the new commander as a “no-nonsense, dedicated, and proactive officer of high integrity,” the Governor urged the military leadership to push further into the difficult terrains of the region. He specifically highlighted the need for sustained pressure on the remote islands and “tumbus” of Lake Chad.
“These ungoverned spaces are where terrorists hibernate during the heat of military operations, only to regroup and cause mayhem on innocent civilians,” the Governor warned. “I request the Force Commander to take operations deeper into these areas and ensure deployments, especially on the Nigerian side, to deny terrorists freedom of action and eliminate their safe havens.”
Despite the economic pressures facing the region, Governor Zulum assured the military leadership that his administration would continue to prioritise the needs of the force, stating that the state would stand by the MNJTF regardless of the “challenging demands on scarce resources.”
In his response, Major General Audu explained that his visit was essential due to the Governor’s role as a primary stakeholder in the Lake Chad Basin Commission Governors’ Forum. He expressed his gratitude for the state’s historical logistics and moral support, which have been vital to the mission’s success.
“I have mapped out a strategy to address the challenges associated with Boko Haram and other non-state actors by taking the battle directly to their enclaves,” Major General Audu said. “I want to assure the state government that I will do the needful, in line with the grand strategic direction, to achieve our mandate of providing peace and security.”
The Force Commander concluded on an optimistic note, telling the Governor and his cabinet that the end of the insurgency is finally within reach.
“The end is in sight for the challenges posed by the Boko Haram terrorist group,” General Audu declared.
Lieutenant Colonel Iweha Ikedichi, the Acting Chief Military Public Information Officer, noted that the visit marks a renewed phase of civil-military synergy aimed at clearing the final remnants of terrorism from the Lake Chad region.
