Following the recent spate of deadly terrorist attacks in northern Nigeria, President Idriss Deby Itno of neighbouring Chad has proposed to set up a task force to aid in the fight against the radical Islamic sect Boko Haram, AGI reported.

President Idriss Deby Itno of Chad

According to the report, Chad’s President Itno made the proposal in Libreville, Gabon at the opening of the annual meeting of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC).

“The time has come to act and we must decide today,” the president said.

The commission, which was set up to monitor the conservation of Lake Chad and its basin is made up of 16 countries, including Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria.

The President said the basin is “exposed to insecurity because of Boko Haram’s permanent threat,” and warned that if the threat is not eradicated “we won’t be capable of saving our Lake Chad.”

The motion garnered support from other African leaders, including Central African Republic president Francois Bozize, who signed on to the idea and offered to supply troops to the multinational contingent.

Counter-terrorism experts have long warned that Boko Haram, said to have links to terror sect al Qaeda, will spread its violent operations beyond Nigeria.

Recently, Boko Haram insurgents were spotted in northern Mali and were said to be working with Tuareg rebels in the area. There are also speculations that migrants from Niger and Chad make up the members of the sect in Nigeria.

Boko Haram has waged an increasingly violent war on peace in Nigeria, claiming over 1,000 lives in several attacks since 2009.