Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) has received fresh commendations from leading international humanitarian partners following separate courtesy visits by senior officials of the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to Headquarters Theatre Command.
In a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Haruna M. Sani, Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, the engagements highlighted strengthened coordination between military authorities and humanitarian actors in advancing peacebuilding efforts, improving security, and protecting vulnerable populations in the North East.
The WFP delegation, led by the Head of its Area Office, Mr Emmanuel Bigenimana, praised OPHK for its consistent support in enabling humanitarian activities across the region. He noted that improved security conditions created by ongoing military operations have significantly expanded humanitarian access, allowing for the safer and more efficient delivery of food assistance and other essential services to communities affected by conflict. He also underscored the need for sustained collaboration between security forces and humanitarian agencies to tackle food insecurity and ensure uninterrupted humanitarian reach.
Similarly, the UNICEF delegation from the Child Protection Section, led by Ms Mona Aika, reiterated the organisation’s commitment to working closely with OPHK in implementing the Children Associated with Armed Conflict Handover Protocol between the Government of Nigeria and the United Nations, signed in 2022. She described the framework as vital for ensuring the protection, dignified treatment, rehabilitation, and reintegration of children impacted by armed conflict, stressing its importance in safeguarding child rights in fragile environments.
In his response, the Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, expressed appreciation to both organisations for their continued partnership and support. He described WFP and UNICEF as key stakeholders in OPHK’s non-kinetic operations and reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining a secure environment that enables humanitarian agencies to operate effectively. He further pledged continued cooperation through enhanced security support, coordination mechanisms, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening humanitarian delivery and child protection efforts.
The visits underscored the positive outcomes of ongoing security operations in creating enabling conditions for humanitarian assistance, community recovery, and long-term stabilisation across the region. The engagements concluded with the signing of the visitors’ register, exchange of souvenirs, and group photographs involving senior military officers, including the Chief of Staff Headquarters OPHK, component commanders, principal staff officers, and other senior personnel.
