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Nigerian military assures of territorial integrity

Xinhua, February 4, 2015 Adjust font size:

Nigeria's territorial integrity had in no way been compromised by the cooperation with countries making up Lake Chad Basin Commission against Boko Haram terrorists, the country's Defense Headquarters said Wednesday.

A statement reaching Xinhua in Nigeria's economic hub of Lagos said the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in which Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, and Chad have contingents, are part of the ongoing onslaught against terrorists in this region.

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, the statement added.

"Contrary to impression in some quarters, it is Nigerian forces that planned and are driving the present onslaught against terrorists from all fronts in Nigeria, not the Chadian Forces as being propagated by some media," the statement said.

"For instance, Chadian forces have been deployed in Baga Sola, which is a Chadian territory," it added.

According to the statement, there have been some joint deployments and patrols around Kirawa, Ashgashiya and other locations along the border with Cameroon, Nigeria and Chad as part of these operations.

The defense authority said Chadians and others are, however, keying into and working in concert with the overall plan for an all-round move against the terrorists as agreed.

The latest onslaught against Boko Haram is coming on the heels of the agreement from regional leaders from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger to adopt a coordinated response to the threat posed by the deadly group which has killed about 13,000 people and displaced over one million others.

The military offensive by the three countries marks a new phase in the anti-terror war between Nigeria and its neighbors and may have set Boko Haram on the path of defeat in the captured border towns.

The African Union Peace and Security Council at its 484th meeting, held on Jan. 29 at the level of Heads of State and Government had also adopted a resolution to establish an initial 7, 500 troops to combat the Boko Haram insurgents. Endi