The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has sent a strong message to troops of Operation HADIN KAI, charging them to maintain maximum vigilance, avoid complacency, and sustain an aggressive frontline posture in the ongoing war against terrorism in the North East.
General Shaibu delivered the charge during an operational assessment tour to the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI (JTF NE OPHK) in Maiduguri, where he evaluated the security situation, reviewed operational progress, and strengthened coordination efforts with security agencies.
Addressing the troops, the COAS praised their courage, resilience, and relentless push against terrorist forces. He urged them to remain alert, focused, and operationally aggressive to ensure terrorists are denied any form of freedom or resurgence across the theatre.
In a separate engagement with senior officers of the theatre command, General Shaibu stressed the importance of strong supervision, intelligent coordination, enhanced surveillance, and continuous pressure on terrorist elements to consolidate gains already recorded under Operation HADIN KAI.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, had briefed the COAS on ongoing operations, recent achievements, and the challenges still confronting the mission.
The visit also featured a courtesy call by Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, who congratulated General Shaibu on his appointment as the 25th Chief of Army Staff. Governor Zulum, who hailed Shaibu’s deep operational experience in the North East, expressed confidence that he would build on current successes and fast-track the final defeat of insurgents in the region.
While commending the remarkable progress achieved by OPHK troops, Governor Zulum urged them not to be discouraged by isolated incidents, assuring that the state government and people of Borno remain firmly aligned with the military in the collective quest for peace and stability.
In response, General Shaibu thanked the Governor for his steadfast support and reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to restoring enduring peace and normalcy to Borno and the entire North East region.
Lieutenant General Shaibu was accompanied by Principal Staff Officers from the Army Headquarters during the visit.
