Gen. Saleh Tidjani, the Governor of Lake Province in the Republic of Chad, on Thursday canvassed for support against Insurgents threats in Lake Chad.
Tidjan, who spoke at the ongoing 5th Lake Chad Governors’ Forum meeting in Maiduguri called for robust security measures to combat resurgence of Boko Haram and ISWAP in the region.
The governor while referring to Chad’s responsibility in securing its borders and territories insisted that “we must mobilise our own resources and ensure the safety of our people, even if it means taking action ourselves.”
Tidjani also expressed concern over the security situation in the Lake Chad region, saying the vulnerability of the Islands remained unprotected with Boko Haram militants exploiting its potential.
“Are the Islands fully secured? No. The Boko Haram insurgents take advantage of these unsecured spaces,” he said,
The governor, therefore, urged stakeholders to join forces and overhaul the whole area, adding that “security should come before any developmental initiatives.”
“You cannot develop a region without securing it first,” he said.
The governor expressed gratitude for the support from partners in his province and called for more assistance for the displaced populations from Sudan and those affected by Boko Haram attacks.
Tidjani acknowledged the continued difficulty in providing adequate aid due to the instability.
The governor, however, said despite the emerging challenges, he remained optimistic about Chad’s ability to restore security.
“With the will to fight, we could defeat Boko Haram in three to four months.
“We need to take charge of our security situation before anything else,” he said.
