The Force Commander of the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Saidu Audu, has called for deeper collaboration and enhanced joint operations between the MNJTF and Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), in the ongoing fight against terrorism in the Lake Chad region.
Major General Audu made the call during an operational visit to the Headquarters of Operation HADIN KAI in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Tuesday.
According to a statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the visit was aimed at strengthening operational synergy, improving intelligence sharing, and generating fresh strategies towards achieving greater successes against insurgents and terrorist groups operating in the North East.
During the engagement, the MNJTF Force Commander received a comprehensive operational briefing on OPHK’s activities and held an interactive session with senior military officers on key operational engagements.
Speaking during the visit, Major General Audu described collaboration among regional forces as the most effective pathway to decisively neutralise terrorist elements and deny them freedom of movement and action.
He noted that the MNJTF remained a unique multinational military alliance made up of troops from contributing countries working collectively to restore peace and security within the region.
The Force Commander also commended the Theatre Commander of OPHK, Abdulsalam Abubakar, for the warm reception and praised troops of Operation HADIN KAI for sustaining military pressure on insurgents, which he said has significantly weakened terrorist activities in the North East.
Earlier in his remarks, Major General Abubakar described the visit as timely and strategic, expressing confidence that it would further enhance operational effectiveness between OPHK and the MNJTF in protecting the security and economic interests of member nations.
He reaffirmed Operation HADIN KAI’s commitment to sustained collaboration with the MNJTF in combating terrorism and insurgency across North East Nigeria, while also ensuring the protection of lives and property to support socio-economic development within the Lake Chad region.
The visit was attended by senior military officers from both formations, including the Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 1 OPHK, Ugochukwu Unachukwu, Deputy Force Commander MNJTF, Ndjonkep Frederic, and the Chief of Staff to the Theatre Commander, Sani Ahmed.
Highlights of the visit included inspection of a Quarter Guard, operational briefings, interactive sessions, presentation of souvenirs, signing of the visitors’ register, and a group photograph session.
