President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno of Chad welcomed a high-ranking Nigerian delegation to N’Djamena on Sunday, underscoring the commitment of both nations to reinforce their partnership amid rising security threats in the Lake Chad Basin.
This meeting reaffirmed the countries’ longstanding strategic alliance, which has become increasingly vital as the region faces growing instability.
The Nigerian delegation, led by National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, included Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Intelligence Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, and Force Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) Major General Ali Salau, among other senior security personnel.
During the meeting, Ribadu conveyed a personal message from Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who extended condolences for the recent terrorist attack on Barkaram Island, which resulted in the deaths of several Chadian soldiers. President Tinubu’s message highlighted Nigeria’s solidarity with Chad, a nation crucial to the region’s security framework.
Focus on Enhanced Regional Security
Security cooperation dominated the discussions, with Chad and Nigeria pledging to intensify their joint efforts against jihadist groups that operate in the Lake Chad Basin. Ribadu characterized the meeting as “fruitful” and reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to closer collaboration with Chad in combating shared security threats.
“The mixed force will soon have a new face, aimed at exterminating the common enemy,” Ribadu announced, referring to the MNJTF, a multinational coalition that includes forces from Chad, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Niger.
Echoing this, General Christopher Musa emphasized plans to bolster interoperability between the two countries’ militaries, noting the importance of coordinated operations to dismantle terrorist networks.
Chad and Nigeria have long-standing historical and strategic ties, which the leaders pledged to deepen. The visit signals Nigeria’s acknowledgment of Chad’s pivotal role in maintaining regional stability and reflects a commitment to addressing security issues collaboratively.
“This hearing confirms that the destinies of Abuja and N’Djamena are intertwined,” remarked a Chadian official, emphasizing that the meeting marked a renewed dedication to both bilateral and multilateral initiatives.
This high-level meeting signals a strong step toward greater cooperation, as both Chad and Nigeria commit to confronting the threats facing the Lake Chad Basin and the broader Sahel region.
