COAS Shaibu Storms Maiduguri, Orders Total Wipeout of Insurgents in Renewed North East Offensive
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Thursday, 6 November 2025, stormed Maiduguri, Borno State, on his maiden operational tour of the Joint Task Force (JTF) North East (NE), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) Theatre.
The visit which is coming on the heels of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to consolidate gains in the fight against terrorism underscores the Nigerian Army’s renewed commitment to decisively end the long-drawn insurgency in the region.
Addressing battle-ready troops at the Maimalari Military Cantonment, Gen. Shaibu charged them to sustain unrelenting pressure on the remnants of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists until they are completely annihilated.
He emphasized that the time has come for total victory, pledging to provide the tools, welfare, and leadership needed to achieve it.
“The Nigerian Army under my command will leave no stone unturned. We will pursue this fight with renewed energy, clear focus, and absolute dedication to end this menace once and for all,” the Army Chief declared.
Gen. Shaibu, who personally assessed frontline formations and units, reaffirmed his “Soldier-First” approach, assuring troops that their welfare, logistics, and morale will remain top priorities. He pledged fairness, professionalism, and strategic deployment of competent officers to drive operational success.
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In continuation of his visit, the COAS paid a courtesy call on the Shehu of Borno, His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr) Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin Elkanemi, CFR, soliciting prayers, community cooperation, and credible intelligence from traditional rulers and residents.
The Shehu commended the Nigerian Army’s gallantry and humanitarian interventions, especially during recent flooding emergencies, praising its sacrifices in restoring normalcy. He noted with satisfaction that no local government area in Borno is currently under terrorist control and assured continued support for the military.
The operational tour also featured a high-level briefing at the Theatre Command Headquarters, commissioning of the newly built Heroes Transit Accommodation, groundbreaking for 120 family quarters for Corporals and Below, inspection of combat platforms, and visits to wounded soldiers receiving treatment at the 7 Division Military Hospital.
Gen. Shaibu also visited frontline troops deployed in Bama and other adjoining sectors, where he commended their courage and reaffirmed the Army’s determination to recalibrate strategies for greater battlefield dominance.
According to a statement issued by Apollonia Anele, acting Director of Army Public Relations, the visit, widely viewed as a signal of renewed operational momentum, marks the beginning of what military insiders describe as a “decisive phase” in Nigeria’s counterinsurgency campaign, one aimed at restoring enduring peace and stability to the North East and beyond.