Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), has arrived in Maiduguri, Borno State, on an operational visit to assess the current security situation in the North-East.
The Defence Minister were received at the Airforce Base by the Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, alongside the General Officer Commanding and Sector One Commander, Brig. Gen. Ugochukwu Unachukwu, and other senior military officers.
The visit is seen as a high-level security assessment mission amid ongoing military operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in the region.
Top defence sources said the Minister’s presence in the theatre underscores the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to reviewing frontline operations, boosting troop morale, and strengthening counter-insurgency efforts in the North-East. Troops Intensify Operations As Defence Minister Visits Maiduguri Over Renewed Boko Haram Attacks
Troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have intensified offensive operations to contain the growing threat posed by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists across parts of Borno State.
In one of the latest encounters, OPHK troops on Monday foiled a planned mass abduction of about 150 travellers along the Buratai–Kamuya axis in Biu Local Government Area, thwarting what could have been another major terror attack on civilians.
This came just days after the military announced that at least 38 suspected ISWAP fighters were killed during a failed assault on a military base in Mandaragirau village, also in Biu Local Government Area, in the early hours of Saturday.
Amid the renewed wave of attacks, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), visited Maiduguri on an operational assessment mission to review the security situation and boost troop morale.
During the visit, the Defence Minister, alongside the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, also paid a sympathy visit to the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, following the recent triple bomb blasts in the state blamed on Boko Haram terrorists.
Speaking during the visit, Gen. Musa condemned the attacks, describing them as senseless acts of violence that have no connection to any religion or legitimate cause.
“This morning, we are here to stand with the good people of Borno State over these unfortunate incidents. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed me and the Minister of State for Defence to commiserate with the people of Borno State,” he said.
He assured residents that the Federal Government is deeply concerned by the attacks and is determined to prevent a recurrence.
“I want to assure the people of the state and the entire North-East that we are taking necessary steps to ensure such incidents do not happen again. We are here to review what has happened and assess what can be done differently,” the minister added.
Also speaking, Matawalle reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to end insecurity across the country and restore lasting peace to troubled communities
Further details are expected as the Minister engages military commanders and receives briefings on the operational realities in the theatre.
