4, October 2020
Boko Haram: Multinational Force seeks support of Cameroonian military 0
The Multinational Joint Task Force has approached the Cameroonian military structures for support in its ongoing fight against Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement by the Chief of Military Public Information for MNJTF, Col. Muhammad Dole, on Saturday.
The statement disclosed that the Force Commander, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Yusuf, made the call when he paid a courtesy call on the Governor of the Far North Region, Midjiyawa Bakari, while on a 3-day operational visit to Cameroonian formations and units in Maroua on Saturday.
Yusuf appreciated the political support and goodwill extended to Sector 1 of MNJTF, adding that the support had facilitated the smooth execution of non-kinetic operations, leading to the surrender of several insurgents.
He stated that winning public support was a strategy for successful counter-insurgency operations in the region.
The Force Commander, therefore, urged both the national and MNJTF forces Commanders to sustain regular operational visits for better understanding and mutual benefits.
The statement partly read, “It is pertinent to note that the operations of Sector 1 MNJTF (Cameroon) are closely linked with the operations other formations of the Cameroonian Defence Forces. These include Operation EMERGENCE by the 4th Joint Military Region and the 4th Gendarmerie Region as well as Operation ALPHA by the Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR) all located in Maroua.”
Earlier, Bakari commended the MNJTF for stabilising and restoring relative peace to the Lake Chad Basin.
Bakari appreciated the sacrifices of all the soldiers from the MNJTF troops and assured that the ongoing military operations would ultimately bring peace and security for sustainable development in the region.
Source: Punch Nigeria
9, October 2020
Southern Cameroons Crisis: Cross River State in Nigeria urges UNHCR to solve Ambazonia refugees’ influx 0
CROSS River State government on Wednesday urged the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to find a lasting solution to the increasing number of Cameroonian refugees in the state.
Commissioner for International Development Cooperation, Dr. Inyang Asibong, spoke yesterday in Calabar, the state capital, when a team from UNHCR visited her.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit was to discuss the state of response on Cameroonian refugees and to seek collaboration with the Ministry.
Asibong stressed that there was need for urgent actions to address the disturbing situation.
She added that the state government had continued to be a “bed net” for both Cameroonian refugees and other migrants in neighboring countries that have a common border with Cross River.
The commissioner assured the team of the state government’s continued support for Cameroonian refugees and immigrants in spite of its lean resources.
“Cross River under Governor Ben Ayade has continued to provide support for Cameronian refugees and immigrants in spite of the state’s lean resources and these responsibilities should be supported by all institutions involved,” she said.
Earlier, Ms. Janet Okello of the UNHCR had praised Ayade for providing an enabling environment for the commission to operate effectively over the years in the state.
Okello noted that the stepping up of engagement with International partners through the establishment of Ministry of International Development Cooperation to coordinate their activities was highly commendable.
She assured the state government of UNHCR’s commitment to find long term solutions to the problem of Cameroonian Refugees in due course.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria