by Panshak Ibrahim
Troops from Chad and Niger, who are part of the joint operation against Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East are reportedly begging their Nigerian counterparts to take over from them, towns recaptured from the sect.

A report published in the New York Times on Friday, said foreign troops had taken journalists on a tour of the liberated towns without meeting the Nigerian troops on the ground.

According to the report, Chadian authorities were upset by “the near-total absence of cooperation from the Nigerians in a crucial regional battle.”

The report said Chadian soldiers were the Nigerian troops had not yet come to take over towns like Damasak, several days after the last Boko Haram fighter has fled or been killed.

Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Chadian Foreign Minister, was quoted as saying: “The Nigerian Army has not succeeded in facing Boko Haram. The occupation of these towns, this is up to Nigeria. My fondest wish is that they assume their responsibilities.”

“Our biggest wish is that the Nigerian Army pulls itself together — that it takes responsibility in the towns. We are ready to disengage, right away.”

Second Lieutenant Hassan of the Chadian Army, also criticised the Nigerian troops of failing in their responsibilities.

He said: “We asked them (Nigerian Army) to come, to receive this town from us, but they have not come. It is because they are afraid. We fought on the night of the 14th, and the last attack was on the 15th. We called them on the 16th and told them to come; they didn’t believe we were here.”

“It is up to them (Nigeria) to hold the town, not us. Our role is offensive. Our mission is to chase the terrorists.”

Kolapo Olapoju