The Chadian Army are not holding Nigerian lands- Buratai clears air

Nigeria's Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen TY Buratai has clarified issues regarding comments made by the Chadian Army in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency.

Of recent, a public message was sent to Nigeria to come claim their borders overrun by Boko Haram after the Chadian Army victoriously cleared the insurgents off their own territory.

Countering the claim, Buratai said all the Chadian Army did was chase the insurgents and not kill them. In addition, Buratai said the decision of the Chadians to withdraw from the fight is their choice, however, he stressed that none of them was holding Nigerian lands.

"We are all stakeholders in the Lake Chad Basin It is just like a border. The Chief of Staff is on ground now. Demographically the Chadians are not holding any inch of Nigerian land. Where they fish, I know the place because I operated there," the military boss said.

The COAS who was really concerned with Chad's act felt they cannot just withdraw from a fight and push the enemy out of their country to other neighbouring countries. He emphasized the importance of security as a collective fight.

"What Champion are you for pushing an enemy out of your country? Why did it take this long? If the Chadians want to withdraw, let them do so. It is at the detriment of their security. However, they cannot withdraw, because it smears on the world. Collective security is a must, you can't pull out," he explained.