By Jerry Ochada
In a bold demonstration of renewed strategic resolve to stamp out insurgency and restore enduring peace to the North East, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has embarked on his maiden operational visit to the Joint Task Force (JTF) North East (NE), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) Theatre, Maiduguri, Borno State.
According to a statement by the spokesperson of the Army, Lt.-Col Appolonia Anele, the visit which is in line with the directive of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, underscores the Nigerian Army’s reinvigorated drive to consolidate on the gains made in the counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations towards total annihilation of terrorists in the NE.
Addressing troops at the Maimalari Military Cantonment, Lieutenant General Shaibu charged the troops to sustain relentless pressure on the remnants of insurgents until total victory is achieved. He emphasized the imperative of decisively dealing with the insurgents to ensure normalcy in the region, while creating enabling atmosphere for socio-economic recovery and normalcy across the North East.
The Army Chief, who was on ground to assess the operational readiness of formations and units, reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to providing the necessary platforms, logistics and welfare incentives to enhance troop morale and combat efficiency. He pledged to uphold and strengthen the Soldier-First concept of his predecessor, ensuring the welfare of troops remain too priority, as he emphasized fairness, justice, professionalism and the strategic deployment of competent personnel to mission-critical assignments.
According to General Shaibu, “The Nigerian Army under my command will leave no stone unturned, we will pursue this fight with renewed energy, clear focus and absolute dedication to end this menace once and for all.” he averred.
The COAS also paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Highness, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji (Dr) Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin Elkanemi, CFR, where he solicited continued prayers, intelligence support and cooperation from traditional institutions and citizens to complement ongoing military operations. He further assured the royal father of the Army’s capability and resolve to restore enduring peace and stability across Borno State and the wider North East corridor.
In his remarks, the Shehu of Borno commended the Nigerian Army for its gallantry, sacrifices, and humanitarian interventions, particularly during the flooding incidents, which he noted, the humanitarian services rendered can never be forgotten by the people. He lauded the Army’s efforts in restoring normalcy in the state, noting that no single Local Government Area in the state is presently under the control of terrorist elements. The monarch further pledged continued support through credible intelligence sharing and moral backing to ensure the total defeat of insurgency.
Highlights of the visit included an operational briefing at the Theatre Command Headquarters, commissioning of the Heroes Transit Accommodation at Maimalari Cantonment, groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of 4 x 30-family Corporal and Below quarters, inspection of combat platforms and visits to wounded-in-action personnel at the 7 Division Military Hospital and Services, as well as frontline troops deployed at Bama and adjoining sectors.
The visit marks a new phase in the Nigerian Army’s counterinsurgency posture, reflecting the COAS’s determination to recalibrate operational strategies and strengthen the force’s combat effectiveness towards restoring peace and stability in the region.
