The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Committee on the review of the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s Joint Defence Doctrine has visited Headquarters Theatre Command, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The four-man committee, led by Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Mohammed Isah, arrived on Wednesday, 27 August 2025, to interact with field commanders and officers as part of its nationwide consultation on the ongoing review of the doctrine.
Speaking during the visit, the Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, commended the DHQ initiative, describing the review as timely and strategic. He stressed that jointness has remained the backbone of operational success in the North East, noting that the revised doctrine would further strengthen interoperability across the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Major General Abubakar also presented additional doctrinal inputs drawn from the operational experience of the Joint Task Force (North East).
In his remarks, AVM Isah explained that the Joint Defence Doctrine is expected to undergo review every five years, and the current edition had become due. He revealed that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (OFR), directed its update, prompting the committee’s nationwide tour to gather inputs from formations and units.
A presentation on Theatre Command’s doctrinal contributions was delivered by Commander 57 Signals Brigade, Brigadier General Nelson Okafor, after which participants engaged in an interactive session. The DHQ Committee Chairman thanked the Theatre Commander and his team for their valuable insights.
Meanwhile, earlier in the day, officials of IHS Towers and Strength, a telecommunications infrastructure company, paid a courtesy call on the Theatre Commander.
The team, led by retired Colonel Abdulkadir Ahmed, said the visit was aimed at deepening collaboration with OPHK, particularly in safeguarding critical national infrastructure in the region. He explained that IHS maintains telecom masts, facilities, and fueling equipment for service providers—tasks which often require military protection due to the insecurity in the North East.
Ahmed further disclosed that the company had supported some military locations in the theatre as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sought stronger ties with the Theatre Command.
Responding, Major General Abubakar thanked IHS Towers for its continued support and assured that OPHK would sustain collaboration in line with the recent Presidential Order mandating the protection of strategic national assets.