Nigeria’s Defence Minister Hails Niger Republic’s Return to MNJTF

Nokai Origin, Abuja

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru has applauded the return of Niger Republic into the MNJTF saying it will consolidate efforts in the region to end insurgency.

He applauded the Nigerian Armed Forces led by the Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa who spearheaded the talk that led to the return of the Republic of Niger into the MNJTF.

He said the “move will no doubt help in securing Nigeria’s extensive border with Niger, while contributing to the overall effectiveness of the Joint Task Force.”

The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana stated this while briefing Journalists on plans of activities that would herald the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration, at the National Defence College, Abuja Nigeria.

On the Propose bill to change Nigerian Legion to Nigerian veterans, the Minister assured the veterans that efforts are on by the Ministry to address some concerns raised by the veterans with regards to the Security Debarment Allowance (SDA).

He said; “Veterans Federation of Nigeria Bill: As a result of continuous interface between the Ministry and Veterans, I set up a committee to look into the Nigerian Legion Act with a view to amending it. Accordingly, the Committee which was headed by the Permanent Secretary was comprised of representatives of the Veteran Associations and senior officials of the Ministry of Defence.

“The Proposed Bill has been forwarded to the Ministry of Justice for vetting and transmission to the National Assembly. It is hoped that this Bill when passed will not only change the name ‘Nigerian Legion’ to Veterans Federation of Nigeria Bill, but will also make provisions for the improvement in the welfare and well-being of our esteemed veterans.”

The Minister commended the doggedness of the Nigerian Armed Forces for their dedication in the fight against all forms of insecurity in the country with continuous operations across the length and breath of the country.

“Owing to the onslaught on insurgents, the Armed Forces has degraded their capacity, necessitating the surrender of more than 100,000 insurgents and the elimination of their top commanders”

“Thanks to the renewed vigour, incidences of security breaches have been reduced by an estimated 65% across the country and the Armed Forces will continue until the nation achieves insignificant level of breaches on its security. In the same vein, oil production has received a big boost as the country’s production has doubled from the level obtainable last year,” he explained.

Armed Forces Day 
Regarding the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration 2024, the Minister said the briefing is to inform the public on the event organised annually to honour men and women who have sacrificed their lives to the country, the surviving veterans, serving personnel of as well as widows and dependants of fallen heroes/heroines.

Some of the activities lined up for the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration include, the Emblem Launch on 23rd October 2024, the Nigerian Legion Humanitarian Day, Prayers and Wreath Laying Ceremony between 12th to 15th of January 2025.

Mercy Chukwudiebere