MNJTF and Partners Train Troops on Counter Improvised Explosive Devices

1The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has concluded a training for its troops on Counter Improvised Explosive Devices (C-IED) organised by the European Union (EU) and COGINTA. 

COGINTA is an independent non-governmental, apolitical and areligious organization that provides technical assistance on justice and security sector governance, police reform and community-oriented policing in fragile and conflict affected countries. 

A statement by the Chief Military Public Information Officer MNJTF N'Djamena, Lieutenant Colonel Kamarudeen Adegoke said the training by the EU and COGINTA was held at Headquarters MNJTF in N'Djamena Chad with focus on basic tracking skills, intelligence gathering and identification of Improvised Explosive Divices (IEDs) products in counter insurgency operations. 

Other aspects of the training included immediate survivability, Inprovised Explosive Divices placement and disposal techniques among others. 

The Force Commander Multinational Joint Task Force Major General Gold Chibuisi who was represented at the closing ceremony by the Deputy Force Commander Brigadier General Assoualai Blama stated that the efforts of the European Union towards confronting terrorists activities in the Lake Chad Basin region was commendable. 

He pointed out that the MNJTF acknowledged the importance of the training on IED to end the fight against the Insurgents while nothing that the terrorists resorted to the use of IED because they found it increasingly difficult to carry out attacks on troops. 

He charged them to be on alert at all times in other to detect and defuse the devices when they encounter them in the course of performing their duties. General Assoualai expressed the appreciation of the MNJTF to the European Union for the training which he said will enhance the capabilities of the Force in the fight against terrorists in the Lake Chad Basin region.

The representative of the European Union stated that the training was considered necessary following the increase in the use of Inprovised Explosive Divices (IED) by the terrorists. 

He further stated that the objective of the training was to improve on the skills and techniques needed by the troops to counter Improvised Explosive Devices in the field. He enjoined the troops to use the knowledge acquired during the training to combat the threat of IEDs. 

Dignitaries at the ceremony included Chief of Cells, representatives of European Union and COGINTA. Highlights of the event include presentation of certificates to the graduands, donation of magnetic detectors,  visiere de protection and  mirror protectors by the EU. The event was concluded with a group photograph.