The Nigerian Armed Forces Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, and his Chadian counterpart, Lieutenant General Mohammad Ibrahim Saed, were in a crucial strategic meeting on Saturday.
The meeting was aimed at improving the synergy between Nigeria and Chad in the ongoing operation against Boko Haram terrorists and other criminalities in the Lake Chad Basin Region.
Olonisakin stated that the meeting, which is a mutual consultation, would enhance cooperation between the two Armed Forces towards clearing the region of Boko Haram terrorists activities.
Saed reiterated the commitment of the Chadian military to the common cause of fighting terrorism and all forms of criminalities in the region.
The meeting underscored the efforts of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the Multinational Joint Task Force.
Olonisakin assured all Nigerians and the international community that the Nigerian military would continue to sustain and improve its strategy and operational procedures through the Multinational Joint Task Force and Operation LAFIYA DOLE to bring lasting peace to the North East and the Lake Chad Basin Region.
Meanwhile, the Armed forces and security agencies in Nigeria held the first edition of joint route march nationwide on Saturday.
Speaking at the event in Abuja, Olonisakin appreciated the participating agencies for turning out enmasse to show the resolve of the military and security agencies to work together in securing Nigeria.
Represented by the Chief of Defence Research and Development Bureau, Air Vice Marshall Benjamin Nweze, the CDS urged the participants to continue in the spirit of unity and togetherness exhibited during the exercise.
He urged the officers and men to continue to discourage inter-agency rivalry and misunderstanding between personnel, saying: “We are all working towards the same goal of ensuring a safer and indivisible Nigeria.”
He added that all agencies are important and needed one another to succeed.
Olonisakin pointed out that the quarterly exercise would promote and reduce avoidable friction in the discharge of the statutory responsibilities of security agencies.
The slogan for the exercise is: “Together we are.”
It is aimed at protecting lives and property, ensuring unity and progress, supporting democracy, upholding the Constitution and defending national interest.
