By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged troops of Operation Hadin Kai to sustain vigilance, avoid complacency and maintain an aggressive operational posture as they continue to confront terrorist threats in the North East.
In an official signed statement, the Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, disclosed that the Army Chief gave the directive during an operational assessment visit to the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force North East Operation Hadin Kai in Maiduguri. The visit was aimed at evaluating the security situation, reviewing the effectiveness of ongoing operations, strengthening strategic alignment and enhancing cooperation with security stakeholders to address emerging threats in the region.
Addressing personnel, General Shaibu commended their gallantry, resilience and commitment to duty. He urged them to remain steadfast and maintain maximum situational awareness in order to forestall emerging threats. He emphasised the need for continuous operational aggressiveness to deny terrorists freedom of action across the theatre.
During an engagement with senior officers of the theatre command, the Chief of Army Staff stressed the importance of close supervision, effective coordination, robust intelligence gathering and an improved operational posture to sustain ongoing successes recorded under Operation Hadin Kai.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, briefed the Army Chief on current operational activities, recent achievements and the challenges confronting troops in the theatre.
As part of the visit, the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, paid a courtesy call on the COAS. The Governor congratulated Lieutenant General Shaibu on his appointment as the 25th Chief of Army Staff, describing it as well deserved. He noted that the Army Chief, having held all major operational command appointments in the theatre, had made significant contributions to the drastic reduction of insurgency in the region.
Governor Zulum expressed strong confidence that the COAS would consolidate ongoing efforts to decimate the remnants of insurgents and restore lasting peace and stability to the state and the wider North East. He reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the government and people of Borno State to continued collaboration with the Nigerian military and other security stakeholders in the interest of the state, the region and the country.
While acknowledging the remarkable progress recorded by troops, the Governor urged them not to be discouraged by isolated security incidents but to remain focused and resolute.
In his response, Lieutenant General Shaibu thanked the Governor for the visit and commended the sustained cooperation between the state government and Operation Hadin Kai. He assured the Governor that the Nigerian Army remains committed to intensifying efforts to restore enduring peace and normalcy to Borno State and the entire North East.
The Chief of Army Staff was accompanied on the operational assessment visit by Principal Staff Officers from the Army Headquarters.
