“COAS Sounds the War Drums: No Mercy for Terrorists as Army Launches Fiercer North East Offensive”
By Passman Akpos
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) to remain vigilant, avoid complacency, and sustain an aggressive operational posture in the ongoing counter-terrorism operations across the North East.
General Shaibu delivered the charge during an operational assessment tour to the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI (JTF NE OPHK) in Maiduguri. The visit focused on evaluating the security landscape, strengthening strategic coordination, and reinforcing collaboration among security agencies working to tackle persistent threats in the region.
Addressing troops, the COAS praised their courage, resilience, and sacrifices in confronting Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters. He urged them to maintain unbroken situational awareness and deny terrorist elements any room to regroup or launch attacks.
“You must remain alert, steadfast, and operationally aggressive to forestall emerging threats and ensure sustained dominance across the theatre,” he told the personnel.
General Shaibu also held a closed-door engagement with senior officers of the theatre command, emphasizing the critical importance of close supervision, robust intelligence gathering, effective coordination, and improved operational posture to consolidate ongoing gains under Operation HADIN KAI.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, briefed the COAS on current operations, recent successes, and outstanding challenges within the theatre.
During the visit, the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, paid a courtesy call on the COAS, congratulating him on his appointment as the 25th Chief of Army Staff. Governor Zulum described the appointment as “well deserved,” noting that General Shaibu’s prior command experience in the region had significantly contributed to the drastic reduction of insurgency.
The Governor expressed confidence that the COAS would strengthen ongoing efforts to decimate remaining terrorist elements and restore lasting peace to Borno State and the wider North East. He reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the state government and people of Borno to continued partnership with the Nigerian Military.
While acknowledging the substantial progress recorded, Governor Zulum urged troops not to be discouraged by isolated attacks, but to remain resolute and focused.
Responding, General Shaibu appreciated the Governor for the visit and commended the robust cooperation between the Borno State Government and OPHK. He assured that the Nigerian Army would intensify its efforts to restore enduring peace and normalcy to the region.
The COAS was accompanied on the assessment tour by Principal Staff Officers from Army Headquarters.
