The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) to remain vigilant and sustain aggressive operations in clearing the remnant elements of terrorists in the North East region.
The COAS gave the charge during an operational assessment visit to the Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI in Maiduguri on Saturday, 7 March , 2026. The visit was aimed at assessing the security situation in the theatre, evaluating operational effectiveness, strengthening strategic alignment and enhancing collaboration with relevant security stakeholders to address remaining threats in the region.
While addressing troops, Lieutenant General Shaibu commended the gallantry, resilience and sacrifice demonstrated by personnel of OPHK in defending innocent civilians and degrading terrorist elements across the theatre. He urged the troops to remain steadfast, maintain maximum situational awareness and sustain the ongoing operational momentum.
The COAS emphasised the importance of effective coordination among units, robust intelligence gathering and improved operational posture to consolidate the successes already recorded. He further directed troops to maintain sustained operational aggressiveness in order to deny terrorists freedom of action, particularly during the last phase of the Ramadan period and beyond.
According to the Army Chief, the days of remaining in defensive positions are over, stressing that troops must continue to take the fight to the terrorists wherever they are found.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, delivered a comprehensive operational brief to the COAS on recent operational activities, achievements and prevailing challenges within the theatre.
The Theatre Commander assured the COAS of the troops’ continued professionalism, utmost commitment and patriotism in the ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace and security in the North East. He also affirmed that the troops remain resolute and undeterred by isolated setbacks in some locations, noting that the morale and fighting efficiency of personnel remain high.
