The Honourable Minister of Defence, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru; Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle; and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, on Thursday visited frontline troops engaged in counterinsurgency operations in the North East to assess the security situation and boost troop morale.
During a courtesy call at the Borno State Government House in Maiduguri, Minister Badaru emphasized that the visit was aimed at evaluating the security landscape in the state and engaging Governor Babagana Zulum on strategies to strengthen peace and stability. He reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to addressing security challenges in Borno and across the country.
Governor Zulum, while receiving the delegation, expressed appreciation for the high-level visit. He assured the Federal Government and the Armed Forces of Nigeria of the state’s unwavering support toward restoring lasting peace. The governor appealed for enhanced support to Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), particularly in manpower and platforms, to effectively tackle insurgency in the region.
He also stressed the importance of clearing the Lake Chad area to allow for its productive use, aligning with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The ministers and the CDS later visited the Headquarters of the Theatre Command, Operation HADIN KAI, where they were briefed by the outgoing Theatre Commander, Major General Waidi Shaibu, on the ongoing operations, key achievements, and prevailing challenges within the theatre.
General Musa, who spoke on behalf of the ministers, commended the courage and resilience of the troops and urged them to intensify their efforts to eliminate the remaining threats in the region.
In a related development, the Minister of Defence addressed troops at 212 Battalion, Maiduguri, conveyed President Tinubu’s deep appreciation for their sacrifices and reaffirmed the administration’s resolve to provide all necessary support to enhance operational effectiveness.
