By Nkechi Eze
The Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command (AOC TAC), Air Vice Marshal Michael Ekwueme, has paid an operational visit to the Theatre Headquarters of the Joint Task Force North East (JTF NE), Operation HADIN KAI, in Maiduguri, assuring of sustained and enhanced air support to further strengthen ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North East.
The visit, which took place on Friday, 30 January 2026, at the Maimalari Military Cantonment, saw the AOC TAC received by the Theatre Commander, Operation HADIN KAI, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar.
According to an official statement signed by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Air Vice Marshal Ekwueme commended the resilience, discipline, selflessness, and courage of troops of Operation HADIN KAI in their sustained efforts against insurgency.
He assured the Theatre Commander of maximum support from the Tactical Air Command, including the deployment of additional air platforms to mitigate operational challenges and consolidate the gains already recorded within the theatre.
“I assure you of maximum support and the deployment of more air platforms to strengthen your operations. We remain hopeful that these efforts will hasten the restoration of peace and a return to full normalcy in the North East,” Air Vice Marshal Ekwueme said.
The AOC TAC noted that effective airpower remains a critical enabler in counter-insurgency operations, especially in providing close air support, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and rapid response capabilities to ground troops operating across difficult terrain.
In his remarks, the Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, expressed delight at hosting the AOC TAC and appreciated the Nigerian Air Force for its consistent and timely support to Operation HADIN KAI. He stated that despite the increasing complexity of operations, prompt air support has remained decisive in achieving mission objectives and neutralising insurgent threats.
Major General Abubakar further highlighted the importance of effective ground-to-air communication, stressing that improved transition capabilities and sustained in-theatre training of personnel across sectors have significantly enhanced joint operational effectiveness and synergy between air and ground components.
The visit featured detailed operational briefings at the Headquarters Theatre Command, exchange of souvenirs, signing of the visitors’ book, group photographs, and a guided tour of the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI.
The operational visit underscored the commitment of the Nigerian Air Force and the Armed Forces of Nigeria to deepen joint operations and sustain pressure on insurgents until lasting peace is fully restored in the North East.
