COAS Orders Relentless Offensive Against Terrorists During Visit to North-East Theatre
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has directed troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) to sustain a high level of vigilance and maintain an aggressive operational posture in the ongoing fight against terrorism in Nigeria’s North-East.
The directive was given during an operational assessment visit to the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force North-East Operation HADIN KAI in Maiduguri on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
The visit was aimed at evaluating the security situation in the theatre, reviewing operational effectiveness, strengthening strategic coordination, and enhancing collaboration with relevant security stakeholders to address residual threats in the region.
Addressing troops during the visit, the Army Chief commended personnel of OPHK for their courage, resilience and sacrifices in defending innocent civilians while degrading terrorist elements across the theatre of operations.
He urged them to remain steadfast, maintain maximum situational awareness and sustain the current operational momentum against insurgents.
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Lieutenant General Shaibu stressed the need for improved coordination among units, enhanced intelligence gathering and a robust operational posture to consolidate the gains already recorded in the counter-terrorism campaign.
He also directed troops to intensify offensive operations in order to deny terrorists freedom of movement and action, particularly as the Ramadan period progresses.
“The days of remaining in defensive positions are over. Troops must continue to take the fight to the terrorists wherever they are found,” the Army Chief charged.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North-East Operation HADIN KAI, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, presented a comprehensive operational briefing to the COAS. The briefing highlighted recent operational activities, key achievements and the challenges currently confronting troops in the theatre.
Major General Abubakar assured the Army Chief of the troops’ continued professionalism, commitment and patriotism in the ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace and stability in the North-East.
He noted that despite isolated setbacks in some locations, the morale and fighting efficiency of personnel remain high, with troops determined to sustain the offensive against terrorist groups operating in the region.
Operation HADIN KAI remains Nigeria’s principal military campaign against insurgency in the North-East, aimed at eliminating terrorist threats and restoring normalcy to affected communities.