President Buhari promises to ‘support and help Chad stabilize’

President Muhammadu Buhari has promised that Nigeria will assist the Republic of Chad to stabilize, and return to constitutional order.

President Buhari made the promise on Friday at State House, Abuja, while hosting Lt. Gen. Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, President of the Transitional Military Council of Chad.

According to a statement released by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, President Buhari said: “We are bound together by culture and geography, and we will help in all ways we can.

“Nigerians know and appreciate the role Chad played in helping us to combat terrorism, and we will continue the collaboration,” said the president.

President Buhari also said Chad should not hesitate to ask for help in areas it deemed necessary as the late Marshal Itno “was a personal friend, and a friend of Nigeria, and Chad has been very steadfast in defending Nigeria.”

Buhari, who said Nigeria would help strengthen the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), added that “We will also help you to ensure a smooth transition in 18 months, as you have promised your people.”

The former President of the country, Marshal Idriss Deby Itno, had died battle last month, while leading troops to confront insurgents, who had come in through Libya.