Boko Haram: Presidency Calls For Calm As Chadian Troops Withdraw From Lake Chad

The Presidency has urged Nigerians not to panic over the withdrawal of Chadian troops from the Lake Chad region.

Naija News reports that 1200 Chadian troops deployed to the North-east to tackle Boko Haram terrorists alongside Nigerian troops withdrew on Friday.

Speaking on the withdrawal, a Chadian military spokesperson, Azem Bermandoa, said: “It’s our troops who went to aid Nigerian soldiers months ago returning home. They have finished their mission,” 

“None of our soldiers remains in Nigeria. Those who have come back will return to their sector at Lake Chad.”

Reacting to the withdrawal on Sunday, the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, asked Nigerians to remain calm.

He revealed that their withdrawal was as a result of a change in line with the mandate of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

The presidential aide added that the Nigerian military was capable of securing the nation.

“Nobody should panic, Nigerians need not to worry at all about the Chadian withdrawals,” he said.

“They came here as a part of a concept of the ongoing operations. That concept has changed and they are moving out.

“Indications from the defence headquarters suggest that soon, Nigeria will be sending troops to that country as part of yet another concept.

“So there is nothing of concern about the way deployments are made by the MNJTF. They know what they are doing. It is in the execution of their mandate.

“Nigerians should equally not have any doubts about the ability of our armed forces to hold their own. They are capable and have proven to be so.”