By Samuel Malik, Abuja
Despite the military actions taken by forces from Chad, Cameroon and Niger against Boko Haram, thereby fuelling speculations of Nigeria’s territory incursion by these forces, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters has assured that nothing of such happens without the cooperation and authorisation of the government.
The Defence Headquarters gave the assurance through a statement posted on its blog, defenceinfo.mil.ng, saying the fight against the insurgents is being controlled totally by Nigerian forces.
“Contrary to the impression being pushed in some quarters, it is the Nigerian forces that planned and are driving the present onslaught against terrorists from all fronts in Nigeria; not the Chadian Forces as is being propagated by some foreign media.
“For instance Chadian forces have been deployed in Baga Sola, which is a Chadian territory,” the statement said.
It also stated that the countries that make up the Lake Chad Basin Commission possess and understanding of the security situation, which is key in the progress being recorded in the fight against the insurgents, adding that some of these countries’ troops are deployed in towns near Nigeria’s borders.
“The countries that make up the Lake Chad Basin Commission also had some understanding, which now enables a massive move against terrorists from all angles.
“There have been some joint deployments and patrols around Kirawa, Ashgashiya and other locations in borders of Cameroun, Nigeria and Chad as part of these operations.”
The Defence Headquarter said Chad and the other countries are working in agreement with Nigeria’s military as planned, adding, “Nigeria’s territorial integrity remains intact.”