CDS, COAS Storm Maiduguri After Bombings, Order Relentless Offensive to Crush Terrorists
Nigeria’s top military leadership on Wednesday moved swiftly to reinforce ongoing counterterrorism operations in the North-East, as the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, and the Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu, arrived in Maiduguri for an operational assessment visit following recent suicide bomb incidents in the metropolis.
The high-level visit to the Headquarters Theatre Command of Operation HADIN KAI came barely 24 hours after the attacks within the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, underscoring the urgency of the military’s response.
Addressing troops at the Maimalari Cantonment, General Oluyede commended officers and soldiers for their resilience and sustained pressure on terrorist elements across the theatre.
He, however, directed an immediate intensification of offensive operations, urging commanders to strengthen intelligence networks and adopt proactive, innovative strategies to dominate the battlespace.
The CDS emphasised the need to consolidate recent gains and prevent a recurrence of attacks, assuring troops of continued strategic support from Defence Headquarters to ensure the decisive defeat of terrorism.
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In a similar vein, Lt.-Gen. Shaibu praised troops for their unwavering commitment and battlefield tenacity, charging field commanders to sustain momentum while institutionalising a firm “never again” posture against terrorist threats.
He stressed the importance of denying insurgents any operational space, particularly during sensitive periods such as Ramadan and beyond.
The Army Chief further pledged additional operational support and critical enablers to enhance force protection and reinforce the ongoing offensive across the theatre.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander of Operation HADIN KAI briefed the visiting chiefs on the operational landscape, detailing ongoing engagements, challenges, and recent successes.
Despite isolated setbacks, he noted that troops have maintained dominance through sustained offensives marked by professionalism and determination.
According to the briefing, over 200 terrorist fighters were recently neutralised, with several others critically wounded—significantly degrading their combat capability and limiting their ability to reconstitute.
The commander reaffirmed the resolve of troops to sustain intensified operations aimed at denying terrorists freedom of action and restoring lasting peace and economic stability across the North-East region.