Buratai to lead multinational force against Boko Haram

Maj. General Yusuf Tukur Buratai

Major Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai of the Nigerian Military has been appointed the Force Commander of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, said Buratai had assumed duty at the new MNJTF Headquarters in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad Republic.

He said the reorganised MNJTF arrangement was in line with the decisions of member countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) which include; Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroun, with Benin Republic as a honorary member.

“The arrangement has the backing of partners in the fight against Boko Haram namely; France, the UK and the USA.

“The MNJTF has now been sectionised into 3 Sectors to achieve more effect in its operations with one of the sectors Headquarters retained in Baga.

“The MNJTF was formed as a result of the need by the LCBC member countries to pool their efforts together in a bid to provide a common and coordinated solution to the security challenges in the Lake Chad Basin region.

“Especially the security challenges posed by terrorists in the region and beyond. The MNJTF will work and collaborate with the forces of the member countries in the fight against terrorists,” Olukolade said.

Olukolade said Buratai was a Director at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja before his new appointment.

He said the commander had at various times served as the Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry; the Brigade Commander at 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, as well as Commander, Joint Task Force, Operation PULO SHIELD.