HOT NEWS – Boko Haram Multinational JTF begins operation YANCIN TAFKI in Lake Chad area

Boko Haram Multinational JTF begins operation YANCIN TAFKI in Lake Chad area

The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), comprising troops from Cameroon, Chad, Niger Republic and Nigeria, have commenced a military operation code – named Operation YANCIN TAFKI, aimed at taking the battle to the remaining hideouts of Boko Haram terrorists within the designated area of responsibility of the Task Force and subsequently rout the terrorists.

A statement by Colonel Timothy Antigha, Chief, Military Public Information, MNJTF, N’Djamena, indicated that Boko Haram terrorists operating from the northern fringes of the Lake Chad Basin recently exploited gaps within defensive positions, which have since been blocked, to attack positions in Arege, Metele, Baga and other settlements within the locality.

The spokesman said as a logical follow up to the atrocious and cowardly attack on defenceless civilians and their property, hence the commencement of the operation.

Colonel Antigha recalled in the statement that a couple of months ago, a summit of the Heads of States and Governments of states of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari, met in N’Djamena, Chad, to fine-tune bilateral engagements aimed at dealing with the Boko Haram problem.

According to him, this operation is therefore expected to give concrete and far-reaching expressions to the resolutions of that summit.

He further noted, “the MNJTF recognizes the challenges of effective coverage and reportage of a conflict, especially in the age of fake news.

“However, the Force is confident that the media in the affected countries will remain resolute and committed to professionalism and the common goal of eliminating terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin, as well as the stabilization of the area for the millions of its inhabitants currently displaced.”