President Bola Tinubu and Chad's interim leader Mahamat Idriss Déby agreed on deeper military cooperation to combat terrorism during a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday. Both leaders identified cross-border insurgency and banditry in the Lake Chad Basin as urgent threats requiring joint action. Déby, who leads Chad's Transitional Military Council, commended Nigeria's regional leadership and affirmed Chad's readiness to expand intelligence sharing and coordinated operations with Nigerian forces. Tinubu stressed that terrorism in one country threatens stability across West and Central Africa, calling for unified responses among neighbouring states.
The discussions focused on revitalising joint efforts under the Multinational Joint Task Force, which includes Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Cameroon, and Benin, aimed at dismantling Boko Haram and other extremist groups. Déby noted that terrorist networks exploit weak borders and called for improved logistics and air surveillance across member states. Tinubu highlighted Nigeria's recent military gains against insurgents in the northeast and pledged continued support for regional peace initiatives. No new funding commitments or specific operational plans were announced following the talks.
When Déby praises Nigeria's leadership while seeking better surveillance and logistics, it reveals Chad's reliance on Nigeria's military footprint in the region. Tinubu's emphasis on collective security isn't just diplomacy—it's a strategic move to position Nigeria as the dominant power in the Sahel's fight against insurgency. This partnership strengthens Nigeria's influence beyond its borders, especially as security challenges spill across nations with weakening state control. The real win isn't just in joint patrols, but in shaping who calls the shots in regional security.
