The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall, Alex Badeh,

​has said that Niger and Chad Republic are still part of the multinational force fighting insurgency in the North East.

But he said the two countries have withdrawn their soldiers from Nigeria.
Mr. Badeh said this while fielding questions from State House correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday.

He spoke after a meeting of service chiefs, governors and members of the National Assembly from Borno, Yobe and Adamawa over the security challenges in the area.

The meeting was presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The chief of defence staff, however, confirmed that the two countries had withdrawn their troops from Baga in Borno.

“They (Niger and Chad) have not pulled out of multinational force because we have held several meetings; they are still part of the multinational force,” Mr. Badeh said.

“What has been happening is that they have not contributed troops to the point of Baga. Chad has people o

​n​ their own side but I believe they have withdrawn. Niger had people with us, they too withdrew and left Nigeria only at the multinational force headquarters.”
He reassured that the army would overcome the challenges of insurgency in the country.

Mr. Badeh, however, stressed the need for further collaboration with the security agencies in Chad, Niger and Cameroun to check the activities of the insurgents.

On the call for the closure of borders between Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria, Mr. Badeh said it would be a difficult task due to the porous nature of the border areas.

He reiterated the commitment of the military to stamp out Boko Haram in the country.

(NAN)