THE ROLE OF THE MULTINATIONAL JOINT TASK FORCE (MNJTF) IN COUNTERING BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY IN THE LAKE CHAD BASIN

Abstract

The Boko Haram insurgency has devastated communities across the Lake Chad Basin, displacing over 2.5 million people and destroying livelihoods. In response, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Niger, and Benin revitalized the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in 2015 to coordinate cross-border military operations against the group. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the MNJTF, integrating Structural Strain Theory and Regional Security Complex Theory to explain both the persistence of Boko Haram and the dynamics of regional cooperation. Adopting a qualitative approach, the study draws on secondary data, including military communiqués, reports from international organizations, and academic literature. The findings reveal that sector-based operations, such as Operations Lafiya Dole and Gama Aiki, have led to the recapture of key territories, the destruction of over 20 Improvised Explosive Device (IED) facilities, and a significant reduction in Boko Haram’s operational capacity. However, persistent challenges, including porous borders, logistical and funding constraints, and underlying socio-economic conditions, continue to undermine long-term stability. The study concludes that while the MNJTF has achieved notable military successes, sustainable peace in the Lake Chad Basin requires a comprehensive approach that combines security interventions with socio-economic development and strengthened regional governance.