Multinational Joint Task Force
| Multinational Joint Task Force | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1994 - present |
| Countries |
Chad Niger Nigeria |
| Type | Multinational force (Combined operations) |
| Garrison/HQ | Baga, Borno State |
| Engagements | 2015 Baga attacks |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Brig. Gen. Enitan Ransome-Kuti |
The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) is a 'Combined' (multinational) formation, comprising units of the Chadian, Nigerien, and Nigerian armed forces.[1]
The task force was first organised in as a solely Nigerian force in 1994, during the administration of Sani Abacha, to "checkmate banditry activities and to facilitate free movement" along its northern border.[2][1] In 1998 it was expanded to include units from neighbouring Chad and Niger with the purpose of dealing with common cross-border security issues in the Lake Chad region, with its headquarters in the town of Baga, Borno State.[1]
As the Islamist insurgency in northern Nigeria intensified in the later half of the 2000s, however, the MNJTF was increasingly challenged by jihadist militant groups in the region, namely Boko Haram and Ansaru, and in April 2012 its mandate was expanded to encompass counter-terrorism operations.[1]
In January 2015 its headquarters base in Baga was overrun by militants of Boko Haram, who then proceeded to massacre local residents and destroy the town, after the Nigerian soldiers of the task force defending reportedly fled the attackers. [3] Following this, Chad and Niger withdrew their troops from the MNJTF, leaving only Nigeria as a contributor, although the Nigerian Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh said that the two countries remained members of the task force.[4][5]
The commander as of 2015 was Brig. Gen. Enitan Ransome-Kuti, son of Beko Ransome-Kuti and nephew of the musician Fela Kuti.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Boko Haram suffers heavy defeat in surprise attack on military base". News Express. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Musa, Sagir (7 May 2015). "Multinational Joint Task Forces, BHTs And Host Community". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
- ↑ Roggio, Bill (4 January 2015). "Boko Haram overruns Multinational Joint Task Force base". Long War Journal. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
- ↑ "Boko Haram displaces 1,636 in Baga". News Express. 7 January 2015. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
- ↑ Adigun, Bashir (6 January 2015). "Nigerian Defense Chief: Military Base in Hands of Extremists". ABC News. Associated Press. Retrieved 9 January 2015.