The Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, and the Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu, have ordered a renewed, intensified offensive against terrorist groups in the North East following a high-level operational visit to Maiduguri.
The visit to the Headquarters Theatre Command of Operation HADIN KAI came barely 24 hours after recent suicide bomb incidents within the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, underscored growing security concerns in the region.
Addressing officers and troops at the Maimalari Cantonment, the CDS commended personnel for their resilience, sacrifice, and sustained operational pressure on insurgents. He, however, charged them not to relent, stressing the need for absolute commitment in the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign.
Oluyede directed field commanders to escalate offensive operations, deepen intelligence coordination, and adopt more innovative and proactive strategies to dominate the battlespace. He emphasised that maintaining operational momentum is critical to achieving a decisive defeat of terrorist elements, assuring troops of continued strategic backing from Defence Headquarters.
In his remarks, the COAS, Shaibu, praised the troops for their doggedness and consistent pressure on the adversary, noting that their efforts have significantly degraded terrorist capabilities. He urged commanders to sustain the tempo and institutionalise a firm “never again” posture to prevent any resurgence or successful attacks, especially during the sensitive Ramadan period.
The Army Chief also assured the Theatre Command of additional operational support and critical enablers aimed at boosting effectiveness, strengthening force protection, and reinforcing the ongoing intensified offensive across the theatre.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander provided a detailed operational briefing, highlighting ongoing engagements, recent gains, and existing challenges within the Joint Operations Area. He revealed that over 200 terrorist elements were neutralised in recent operations, while several others sustained severe injuries, further weakening their operational capacity.
Despite acknowledging isolated setbacks, the commander maintained that troops have continued to dominate the battlespace through sustained, coordinated offensives carried out with professionalism and determination.
He reaffirmed that forces under Operation HADIN KAI remain resolute and undeterred, with a clear focus on denying terrorists freedom of action and restoring lasting peace and economic stability across the North East.
