By Nkechi Eze
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has intensified efforts to strengthen joint doctrine development as a central pillar for enhancing operational effectiveness and sustaining combat efficiency across all theatres of operation.
This strategic push formed the core of a three-day working visit by a team from the Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre (JDWC), led by its Director General, Major General Aniedi Edet, to the Headquarters Theatre Command, Joint Task Force North East (JTF NE), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), which commenced on Tuesday, 27 January 2026.
Confirming the development in an official statement, the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, said the visit was aimed at strengthening the linkage between doctrine development and real-time operational experience in the North-East theatre.
During engagements with the Theatre Command, Major General Edet explained that the JDWC was established to harmonise doctrine development across the Armed Forces, standardise joint operational procedures, and deepen synergy among the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), the Nigerian Navy Training Command, and the Air Warfare and Doctrine Centre.
He emphasised that effective joint operations are anchored on unity of effort, shared situational awareness, and seamless inter-service coordination, stressing that doctrines must be continuously informed by practical realities from active theatres of operation.
According to him, Operation HADIN KAI offers invaluable lessons in joint planning, force integration, stabilisation operations, and civil–military coordination, all of which are essential inputs for developing responsive, adaptive, and future-ready joint doctrines.
In his remarks, the Theatre Commander, JTF NE OPHK, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to joint operational principles and pledged full support for doctrine development processes that are firmly grounded in field experience.
He noted that structured, contemporary, and well-articulated doctrine would significantly improve decision-making, optimise the employment of joint capabilities, and enhance operational coherence in today’s complex and dynamic security environment.
Major General Abubakar further highlighted ongoing stabilisation efforts under Operation HADIN KAI, outlining key operational challenges, recent successes, and critical lessons learned, which he said would contribute meaningfully to the refinement and evolution of joint doctrines.
Both commanders underscored the importance of continuous capability development and reforms in defence procurement, stressing that the timely availability of critical military assets remains central to sustaining operational momentum and achieving mission success.
The engagement featured detailed operational briefings and robust professional exchanges at Headquarters OPHK, as well as interactions with the various components of Operation HADIN KAI. The visit concluded on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, reinforcing the AFN’s resolve to institutionalise a doctrine-driven approach to joint warfare and national defence.
