Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has called for a comprehensive review and repositioning of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to strengthen its capacity to tackle emerging security threats in the Lake Chad Basin and the wider Sahel region.
Musa made the call on Thursday while opening a two-day high-level international forum on the future of the MNJTF at the National Defence College in Abuja.
He said the regional security landscape had changed considerably since the establishment of the task force 11 years ago, making it necessary to review its operational structure and capabilities to address evolving threats.
The minister identified intelligence gathering, command and control, logistics, funding and operational capacity as critical areas requiring attention to improve the effectiveness of the multinational force.
He urged participants and other stakeholders to develop practical and sustainable measures to strengthen the task force, particularly in response to changing security dynamics and shifts in international support.
Musa stressed the need for the MNJTF to adapt to current realities to effectively confront security challenges threatening stability in the Lake Chad Basin and neighbouring areas.
In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, emphasised the importance of sustained cooperation among countries and security partners in addressing contemporary security threats.
Oluyede noted that the cross-border nature of the threats required coordinated responses, adding that the security of the Lake Chad Basin remained a collective responsibility.
He called for stronger partnerships among regional and international stakeholders to enhance collaboration and improve efforts to tackle insecurity across the region.
The two-day forum is expected to provide an opportunity for military leaders, policymakers and other stakeholders to assess the challenges confronting the MNJTF and develop strategies for improving its operational effectiveness.
