🇳🇬 Yobe Governor Pledges Stronger Political Support For MNJTF As Lake Chad Security Remains Critical To Regional Development

The Chairman of the Lake Chad Basin Commission Governors’ Forum and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, CON, has pledged maximum political support to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), linking stronger security across the Lake Chad Basin to the success of regional development and economic activities.

Desk: Defence & Security
Date: Sunday, August 23, 2026
Time: 14:55 WAT
Location: N’Djamena, Chad

According to the Acting Chief Military Public Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Iweha Ikedichi Onyenonachi, Governor Buni made the commitment after receiving a security briefing at MNJTF Headquarters on the sidelines of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum in N’Djamena, Chad.

Governor Buni commended the MNJTF for what he described as tangible improvements in security across the Lake Chad Basin, but stressed that further progress was necessary for the developmental initiatives of the Lake Chad Basin Commission to achieve their full potential.

He particularly called for the accelerated deployment of troops to islands within the Lake Chad Basin, including Nigerian and other national territories, arguing that a stronger physical security presence would be critical to denying terrorist groups operating space in the region.

The Governor also disclosed that discussions were ongoing with the political leadership of Niger Republic over the country's possible return to the MNJTF. He identified the absence of Nigerien forces as a security gap that terrorists could exploit to move across borders, establish temporary bases and conduct criminal activities before launching attacks elsewhere.

Governor Buni further expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the Federal Government’s exclusive funding of Operation LAKE SANITY III on behalf of the MNJTF troop-contributing countries. He said the intervention demonstrated the President’s determination to improve security across the Lake Chad Basin and create conditions for increased development and commercial activity.

He pledged to brief the President on additional areas requiring attention following his return to Nigeria, particularly those capable of facilitating greater socio-economic activity across the region.

Governor Buni also pledged to mobilise the necessary political support to sustain MNJTF operations and strengthen efforts to curb the activities and infiltration of Boko Haram and ISWAP across the Lake Chad Basin.

The engagement reinforces the growing connection between military security and the wider development agenda of the Lake Chad Basin, where sustained territorial security remains essential to reopening communities, supporting commerce and enabling regional development initiatives.

🏷️ Tags: MNJTF, Lake Chad Basin, Mai Mala Buni, Yobe State, Lake Chad Basin Commission, LCBC Governors’ Forum, Operation LAKE SANITY III, Boko Haram, ISWAP, Niger Republic, Counter-Terrorism, Regional Security, Lake Chad Security

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