Fight against terrorism requires global approach – MNJTF Commander

The Force Commander (FC), Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Maj.-Gen. Abdul-Khalifah Ibrahim, says the fight against terrorism requires global approach by integrating various skills held by both civilians and the military.

A statement by the Chief of Military Public Information for MNJTF, Col. Muhammad Dole, on Friday, said that Ibrahim made the statement during inauguration of the Joint Integrated Operations Planning Course, in N’Djamena, Chad.

He said the fight against the Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents could not be considered as the sole prerogative of the military, whose actions alone could not solve the problem.

He added that there was the need for a multi-dimensional approach to tackle the menace of terrorism.

Ibrahim said the course was designed to reinforce the MNJTF planning and leadership capacities towards the achievement of the desired goal.

He emphasised the need for the various stakeholders to work together towards isolating and clearing the terrorists from the Lake Chad Basin area in order to restore security and stability in the region.

According to him, the uniqueness of the training is that it brings together civilian and military representatives from six African countries (Benin, Cameroon, Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Senegal) and the United Kingdom.

The Force Commander said the outcome of the course would surely improve participants’ knowledge through better understanding of the crisis management process.

He commended the coordinating partner, Operation TURUS, and appreciated the efforts made by the partnership system set up by the British Armed Forces to provide multi forum support to the countries of West and Central Africa.

He urged the participants to make concerted effort to gain maximum benefit from the training, and stressed the need for discipline, interest and commitment as essential elements for knowledge acquisition.