In its statement, the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) claims to have cooperated with the Civilian Joint Task Force, where it disclosed having thwarted the suspected terrorist courier bringing suspect Improvised Explosive Device assembling materials in preparation to attack the troops area within Borno State. MNJTF soldiers were operating under Sector 3 in Mongunu. The alleged terrorist was apprehended at the entry to Gubio Local Government Area in Borno State on January 2, 2025, in an effective counter-terrorism operation.

MNJTF Chief Military Information Officer Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba stated the captured suspect, recognized as Murktar Alhaji Chari, admitted to transporting the contents to Damasak town in Mobbar Local Government Area for a deliberate raid on MNJTF troops. Intelligence reports revealed that this material was pointed to a group of terrorists preparing a retaliatory raid after recent losses, including the killing of several associates and the outbreak of a significant weapons cache.

This courier was intercepted in good time, and these materials were successfully recovered, which probably must have derailed a terrorist attack and completely crippled the terrorists’ operational capacities. The suspect is currently detained and collaborating with current investigations. Major General Ibrahim Ali, Force Commander MNJTF, hailed the troops and CJTF for their caution and professionalism while restating MNJTF’s resolve to fight terrorism for the safety and security of the region.

Overview of the Multinational Joint Task Force:

By the end of 2014, the MNJTF was reconstituted to curb the rising and worsening menace being posed by terrorist groups like Boko Haram alongside others in the Lake Chad region. Initially thought of in 1994 by Nigeria as a platform to counter the rising banditry across national borders, it had evolved as a multinational platform involving troops of Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin. It came into operation in early 2015 after it was endorsed by the African Union.

Whereas in 2015, the attacks stood at 8,119, in 2021, they dwindled to 1,894. This is through military operations and part of the insurgents coming inthe limelight to surrender. Actually, up to now, 2022, more than 2,200 terrorists have surrendered. Operation Sharan Fage carried out in 2021, neutralized the leadership teams of Boko Haram and freed many towns. Operation Lake Sanity carried out in 2022, killed the top commanders and freed thousands of civilians. Between September 2021 and April 2022, the force allowed for the return of around 200,000 displaced persons as the security environment improved for humanitarian assistance.

Despite these successes, the MNJTF faces the challenges of being under-resourced and having an operational constraint in that it functions without formal command structures from the AU but with logistical support coming from the AU and international partners. Furthermore, recent developments include Niger’s pulling out of the task force, causing a fear that terrorist activities may increase because of low collaborative efforts.

Despite these successes, the MNJTF faces the challenges of being under-resourced and having an operational constraint in that it functions without formal command structures from the AU but with logistical support coming from the AU and international partners. Furthermore, recent developments include Niger’s pulling out of the task force, causing a fear that terrorist activities may increase because of low collaborative efforts.