They have finished their mission- Chadian colonel speaks on withdrawing troops from Nigeria

Chad has withdrawn its 1,200-strong force from fighting Boko Haram insurgents from Nigeria.

MyNigeria gathered that the troops were being pulled back across the border to be “deployed in the Lake Chad region to strengthen security along the border.

Giving more reasons for the decision to withdraw the troops from Nigeria, spokesman for the military, Colonel Azem Bermandoa said: “It’s our troops who went to aid Nigerian soldiers months ago returning home. They have finished their mission."

He refused to make any comment whether newer troops would be deployed in the war. He stated that withdrawn troops will return to their sector in Lake Chad.

However, Chad’s general chief of staff, General Tahir Erda Tahiro said that if countries in the region which have contributed to a multinational anti-jihadist force were in agreement, more troops will likely be sent in.

“If the states around Lake Chad agree on a new mission there will surely be another contingent redeployed on the ground,” Tahiro said.

Boko Haram began the insurrection in Nigeria a decade ago, leading to at least 35,000 deaths with violence spilling over into Chad, Niger and Cameroon.

Countries in the region have banded together to fight Boko Haram and ISWAP with support from civilian defence committees leading to Chad contributing 1,200 troops.