By Nkechi Eze
The Commander Corps of Engineers (CCE), Major General Shamsideen Shafaru, on Thursday, 29 January 2026, paid an operational assessment visit to Headquarters 7 Division, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), as part of ongoing efforts to evaluate the combat readiness, operational efficiency, and general welfare of Engineer troops and platforms deployed in the North East theatre of operations.
The visit, which forms part of a broader institutional drive to strengthen the effectiveness of combat support elements, focused on a comprehensive review of the state of Engineer assets, personnel preparedness, and the level of support being provided to frontline operations.
In an official statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director, 7 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Haruna Mohammed, Major General Shafaru expressed deep satisfaction with the performance of 7 Division in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign, while reaffirming the commitment of the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers to sustaining and enhancing operational success.
“I am very delighted and proud of the accomplishments of 7 Division in the ongoing operations, and as a Combat Support Corps, we want to ensure that we play our role actively and proficiently. This can only be achieved through a holistic assessment of our platforms and troops’ readiness, which are critical to the overall success of the operations,” the CCE stated.
Major General Shafaru explained that the assessment visit was designed to further consolidate the Nigerian Army’s ongoing transformation agenda, as well as reinforce the resilience and adaptability of its forces in line with the command philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Nigerian Army Medal (NAM).
According to him, the Nigerian Army has continued to invest in the acquisition of additional engineering platforms to improve operational output across theatres.
“We have been able to acquire more platforms, and some of these will be deployed to Operation HADIN KAI. We are also assured of sustained collaboration and continuous support between the Division and the Corps of Engineers,” he said.
He added that strengthening the synergy between combat and combat support units remains essential to achieving decisive outcomes against terrorist and insurgent elements operating within the theatre.
In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division Nigerian Army and Commander, OPHK, Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, attributed many of the major operational successes recorded by the Division to the professionalism and technical expertise of the Nigerian Army Engineers.
The GOC highlighted the critical role played by Engineer units in countering the persistent threat posed by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) across operational areas, noting that their contribution has been indispensable to troop mobility, force protection, and mission accomplishment.
“Our operational activities would not have been possible without the diligent efforts of the 47 Engineer Brigade,” Brigadier General Unachukwu stated.
While extolling the Corps of Engineers, he expressed appreciation for their consistent support and reaffirmed the Division’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the Corps.
“We, as a Division, want to appreciate the Nigerian Army Engineer Corps for the immense support rendered so far, and we will continue to solicit for more combat enablers that will further enhance the attainment of our mission objectives,” he added.
The GOC further noted that 7 Division has continued to live up to operational expectations, stressing that troops remain highly motivated and committed to the discharge of their duties despite the challenging environment.
The assessment visit underscores the Nigerian Army’s continued emphasis on readiness, inter-unit cooperation, and the provision of critical enablers required to sustain momentum in the fight against insurgency and other forms of insecurity in the North East.
