The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has taken delivery of five state-of-the-art swamp buggies donated by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and the Borno State Government to support its ongoing operations in the Lake Chad region.
By Chimezie Godfrey
The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has taken delivery of five state-of-the-art swamp buggies donated by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and the Borno State Government to support its ongoing operations in the Lake Chad region.
The equipment, specially designed for waterlogged and marshy terrains, was officially handed over during a commissioning ceremony held on Tuesday, July 2, 2025, at the Nigerian Navy Base, Lake Chad Fish Dam. The Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, was represented at the event by his deputy, Alhaji Umar Usman Kadafur.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Governor Kadafur said the donation underscores the unwavering commitment of political leaders in the region to the stabilization of the Lake Chad Basin.
“These swamp buggies will significantly enhance waterway clearance and patrol operations. This is vital not only for boosting security but also for reactivating economic activities and trade along the lake’s corridors,” Kadafur said.
He noted that restoring navigable routes and enabling safer access to riverine communities would accelerate recovery and development in areas ravaged by insurgency.
Receiving the equipment, the Force Commander of the MNJTF, Major General Godwin Mutkut, expressed deep appreciation to the Borno State Government and the NEDC for their timely intervention and coordination.
“This donation marks a major milestone in our effort to improve mobility and operational efficiency in difficult terrain. The swamp buggies will enhance our riverine capabilities, improve our rapid response against terrorist threats, and support humanitarian and development activities,” General Mutkut stated.
He reaffirmed the MNJTF’s commitment to leveraging the new assets in its quest to eradicate terrorism and restore peace and normalcy in the region.
The event drew attendance from high-profile dignitaries, including General Saleh Haggar Tidjani, Governor of the Region of Lake Chad, top MNJTF commanders, traditional leaders, and senior officials from Borno State and Lake Chad Basin communities.
The collaborative gesture, officials say, reflects a growing synergy between military and civil authorities across borders in the shared fight against insecurity and efforts to restore socio-economic life to the region.
“The Lake Chad region has suffered immensely, but with support like this, we are seeing real hope for sustainable peace, development, and prosperity,” General Tidjani remarked during the ceremony.
The MNJTF, made up of troops from Nigeria, Chad, Niger, and Cameroon, continues to play a central role in regional efforts to defeat Boko Haram and other terror groups operating in the Lake Chad Basin.
MNJTF Boosts Operations in Lake Chad with Donation of 5 Swamp Buggies
