The Chiefs of Defence Staff of Nigeria, Chad and Niger and delegations from countries participating in the ongoing counter terrorism campaign met on Monday to review the progress so far made in the operations conducted by the countries.
Highlights:
- The meeting of the multinational task force was coordinated by Nigeria’s Air Chief Marshal
- An agreement was reached to establish a Joint Operations Headquarters
- It will aid joint planning to enhance counter terrorism operations
- Nigeria, Chad and Niger are the three countries actively involved in the counter terrorism opeation
Details
Addressing the gathering, Nigeria’s Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, said the essence was to fine tune the coordination of the activities of the collaborative efforts of the operations.
Establishment of Joint Operations Headquarters
A statement by the spokesman for the military, Major General Chris Olukolade, said the meeting resolved to establish a structure for joint planning to enhance the operations and consolidate on the successes so far achieved in the mission with a view to accelerating the tempo of operations.
Accordingly, a Joint Operations Headquarters (JOH) is to be established and activated immediately, pending any other structure being put in place at regional and international organisations level with regards to the counter terrorism efforts.
The three countries actively involved in the ongoing operation – Nigeria, Chad and Niger – are expected to utilise the structure to beef up their Liaison Teams already operating in the mission area.
The arrangement is to enhance operational and tactical coordination as well as the synchronisation of command, control and communication in the field and the higher headquarters.
The structure will operate in cognisance of existing bilateral and multilateral documents and understanding among the countries.
The meeting also resolved to enhance correct reportage on the operation as against the observed trend of sensationalism, propaganda or misleading reports emanating from certain quarters claiming to be reporting the mission.
The authorised spokespersons are to coordinate and facilitate this arrangement.
The meeting had the Chief of Defence Staff of Chad, Lt Gen Brahim Seid Mahamat and Niger’s Chief of Defence Staff, Lt Gen Seyni Garba leading their countries delegations while Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen KTJ Minimah, Chief of Naval Staff, V Adm UO Jibrin and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal AN Amosu and senior officers from Service Headquarters constituting Nigeria’s military delegation at the meeting.
NP/PRNigeria
