The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has paid tribute to soldiers who lost their lives or were wounded in action during Operation Lake Sanity II, with ceremonies held in Mora, Cameroon, and Maiduguri, Nigeria.
Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Ali, MNJTF’s Force Commander, presented token compensations to the families of the fallen heroes and injured soldiers, praising their bravery in the ongoing mission to secure peace in the Lake Chad Basin.
“Their sacrifices remind us of the heavy cost of freedom,” Gen. Ali said, emphasizing that the soldiers’ legacy would continue to guide the fight for peace in the region. He reiterated the MNJTF’s commitment to the principles of peace and security that the soldiers fought for.
Ali extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, acknowledging their pain and highlighting the compensation as a token of the task force’s respect and gratitude. “Your loved ones served with honor and distinction, and their contributions to this noble cause will never be forgotten,” he said, encouraging the families to take solace in their sacrifice for regional stability.
Gen. Ali also recognized the resilience of the wounded soldiers, praising their dedication. “Your bravery inspires us all,” he remarked, pledging the MNJTF’s continued support for their recovery.
Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Babayo, Commander of Sector III, expressed his condolences, stressing that no compensation could truly equal the ultimate sacrifice. He noted, however, that the gesture was intended to support the families during this difficult time.
Mrs. Afusat Abubakar, representing the bereaved families, expressed gratitude for the gesture.
The ceremony saw participation from senior military officials, including Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Theatre Commander of Operation HADIN KAI, who joined Gen. Ali in presenting the compensation tokens. A similar event took place in Mora, Cameroon, where Sector I Commander, Col. Tookap Loti, led a moment of silence to honor the fallen soldiers, describing them as valiant heroes.
Since 2015, the MNJTF, comprising troops from Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, and Benin, has been engaged in countering insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin. The force operates across four national sectors, with Sector I in Cameroon, Sector II in Chad, Sector III in Nigeria, and Sector IV in Niger.
In 2014, the Lake Chad Basin Countries re-activated the MNJTF as a counterterrorism force, expanding its capacity to approximately 10,000 troops.
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