The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has urged troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) to sustain vigilance, avoid complacency, and maintain an aggressive posture in ongoing counter-terrorism operations across the North East.
Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation HADIN KAI, stated in a press release that General Shaibu delivered the charge during an operational assessment visit to the JTF NE OPHK Headquarters in Maiduguri.
The visit was aimed at evaluating operational effectiveness, assessing the security situation, strengthening strategic alignment, and enhancing collaboration with security stakeholders to tackle prevailing threats in the region.
Addressing personnel, the COAS commended their bravery and resilience in confronting terrorist elements, urging them to remain steadfast and maintain maximum situational awareness to preempt emerging threats. He emphasized the need for continued operational aggressiveness to deny terrorists freedom of action across the theatre.
During the visit, General Shaibu engaged officers of the theatre command, stressing the importance of close supervision, effective coordination, robust intelligence gathering, and improved operational posture to sustain ongoing successes under Operation HADIN KAI. Earlier, Theatre Commander JTF NE OPHK, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, briefed the COAS on current operations, achievements, and challenges within the theatre.
The operational assessment visit also included a courtesy call from the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, who congratulated General Shaibu on his appointment as the 25th Chief of Army Staff. Governor Zulum highlighted General Shaibu’s significant contributions in drastically reducing insurgency in the region and expressed optimism that he would consolidate ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace and stability.
While acknowledging the progress made by OPHK troops, the Governor urged them to remain focused and undeterred by isolated security incidents. In response, the COAS thanked Governor Zulum for his support and reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to intensifying efforts to ensure enduring peace and normalcy in Borno State and the wider North East. Lieutenant General Shaibu was accompanied on the visit by Principal Staff Officers from Army Headquarters.
