By Nkechi Eze
The Theatre Command of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has refuted allegations circulating on social media regarding inadequate feeding of troops, describing such reports as misleading and inconsistent with the realities on ground.
According to an official signed statement by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the Command undertook a comprehensive internal review in line with established procedures and found that the images and narratives being circulated do not reflect the actual feeding arrangements or welfare standards within the Theatre of Operation.
The statement clarified that troops deployed across all formations under Operation HADIN KAI are provided with rations in strict compliance with approved military feeding scales. It added that these provisions are consistently maintained and are often enhanced during festive periods such as Sallah and Easter to boost morale and overall welfare.
The Command further explained that the feeding system in the Theatre is structured, transparent, and participatory, managed through established Food Committees made up of personnel across various ranks and supervised by senior non-commissioned officers. This framework, it noted, ensures accountability and continuous oversight in menu planning, meal preparation, and distribution, within the limits of available logistical resources.
Providing insight into the origin of the misleading claims, the statement revealed that a particular incident was traced to a personnel who deliberately circulated an image of a partially consumed meal to create a false impression of feeding conditions. Investigations, however, confirmed that the image did not represent the full ration issued at the time.
According to the statement, appropriate disciplinary measures were subsequently taken against the individual in line with the provisions of the Armed Forces Act (Cap A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004), with sanctions applied to uphold discipline and safeguard the integrity of the Armed Forces.
The Theatre Command reassured the public that the welfare of troops remains a top priority despite the operational and environmental challenges in the North East. It emphasized that sustained efforts are being made to ensure personnel are adequately catered for under all conditions.
Troops were also encouraged to utilise established internal channels to address grievances, rather than engaging in actions capable of distorting operational realities or undermining morale. The public, on its part, was urged to disregard unverified social media content and rely on credible, officially verified information.
The Command warned that the spread of misinformation by individuals or groups seeking attention or financial gain could undermine ongoing military operations and national security efforts.
It reaffirmed that Operation HADIN KAI remains committed to its constitutional mandate of restoring lasting peace, security, and economic stability in the North East, while maintaining high standards of welfare, discipline, and operational effectiveness among its personnel.
