By Samuel Malik

A meeting of Chiefs of Defence Staff from the Lake Chad Basin Commission is expected to take place today, Tuesday, in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, sequel to President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Niger and Chad regarding the war on terror in the sub-region.

The conference is expected to workout modalities for the immediate commencement of activities by a modified Multi-National Joint Task Force to tackle the scourge of insurgency, particularly Boko Haram, according to Nigeria’s defence spokesman, Major General Chris Olukolade.

“Military delegation led by the Chiefs of Defence Staff as well as intelligence and security of Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad are to participate in the meeting along with Benin Republic. The meeting will later brief the Ministers of Defence of the LCBC countries towards subsequent decisions on the immediate take off of the mission.

“The meeting is Preparatory to the Extra-Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Governments of the LCBC member countries in furtherance of the multilateral discussion on counter terrorism operations in the sub region,” Olukolade said.

President Buhari has made security his top priority upon assumption of office and wasted little time in swinging into action. One of his first official assignments was a visit to Niger and Chad, two countries concerned with the spread of Boko Haram outside Nigeria. The President is also understood to have spoken with President Paul Biya of Cameroon on phone about the same issue and today’s meeting is seen as crucial.