By; SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
The media’s role as a societal watchdog is vital to the success of Operation Lake Sanity II, according to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) spokesman.
Operation Lake Sanity II, initiated on April 23 by MNJTF troops under the command of Major General Ibrahim Ali, has not only prevented the regrouping of defeated insurgents, but also led to the recovery of numerous arms and ammunition.
This was revealed yesterday by MNJTF’s Chief Military Public Information Officer, Lt. Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, during a courtesy visit to the Borno State Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Maiduguri.
Lt. Colonel Abdullahi, accompanied by his deputy, Lieutenant Commander Yves Sokamte, was welcomed by the Chapel Chairman, Comrade Inusa Ndahi Marama, along with his executive committee and other members, many of whom have been reporting on the region before, during, and after the insurgency.
Expressing gratitude for the journalists’ dedication, Lt. Colonel Abdullahi reminisced about his time as Spokesman for the 21 Armoured Brigade at Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri. He recounted the substantial support and cooperation his office received from journalists, noting that this strong working relationship, established in 2009 remained unwavering.
The spokesman emphasized that the media’s continued collaboration is crucial for maintaining public awareness and support, which are essential for the operation’s ongoing success.
“I am currently in Maiduguri after an operational visit to the Republic of Cameroon with my second-in-command, Lt. Commander Sokamte, we thought it would be a good opportunity to stop here and express our gratitude to you, the media professionals, for your sacrifices in the fight against Boko Haram and other terrorist groups.
“As we know, the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), composed of troops from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger, is working tirelessly to compliment other national operations to defeat insurgents and restore peace. It is crucial to engage the media to convey accurate information to the public about the successes of the MNJTF.
“On April 23, 2024, we launched ‘Operation Lake Sanity II,’ aimed at preventing the remnants of terrorists from regrouping and causing further havoc. This operation has already led to the elimination of many terrorists and the recovery of significant amounts of arms and ammunition.
“We feel it is our duty, as partners, to engage with you and extend our heartfelt thanks for the excellent professional work you have been doing to support the military’s efforts in defeating terrorism in this part of Africa. Prior to meeting with you, we also engaged with journalists from Chad and Cameroon.
“I urge all of you to continue your dedicated work, maintaining the momentum as we persist in providing you with accurate and timely information about our activities in the region,” stated Lt. Colonel Abdullahi.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Ndahi, thanked the MNJTF Spokesperson for recognizing the contributions and sacrifices made to support the military.
Ndahi therefore enumerated the importance of the Media in conflict situations, which he said, ” my members and their families have sacrificed their lives in ongoing over decade Boko Haram conflict to ensure peace return not only in North Eastern region of Nigeria, but the entire shores of the Lake Chad Basin, and we are proud to associate with the military and tbe recent launch of Operation Sanity II by MNJTF”.
He pledged that working Journalists in the Chapel will not rest on their oars as they continue to display their hard earned professionals skills in reporting only nothing but the truth on the successes recorded by the military and the MNJTF, inline with the ethics of the profession.
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