By Ibrahim Muhammad
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged Nigerian troops to maintain relentless pressure on the remnants of insurgents until total victory is achieved in the ongoing counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations across the North East.
This directive was contained in a statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, and made available to DAILY POST on Friday.
During his maiden operational visit to the Joint Task Force (JTF) North East (NE), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) Theatre in Maiduguri, Borno State, Lieutenant General Shaibu reiterated the Army’s renewed commitment to consolidating on the gains recorded in recent operations. The visit, he noted, aligns with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to decisively eliminate terrorism and restore lasting peace in the region.
Addressing troops at the Maimalari Military Cantonment, the COAS urged them to sustain the momentum against insurgents, stressing that only continuous pressure would guarantee total victory and the restoration of normalcy. He emphasized the need to create an enabling environment for socio-economic recovery and long-term stability across the North East.
General Shaibu used the visit to assess the operational readiness of formations and units within the Theatre. He reaffirmed his commitment to providing adequate platforms, logistics, and welfare incentives to boost morale and enhance combat efficiency.
The Army Chief further pledged to uphold and strengthen the “Soldier-First” policy of his predecessor, assuring that troops’ welfare will remain a top priority. He also underscored the importance of professionalism, fairness, justice, and strategic deployment of competent personnel to critical operational roles.
As part of his visit, General Shaibu paid a courtesy call on the Shehu of Borno, His Royal Highness Alhaji (Dr) Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin Elkanemi, CFR. The COAS sought the continued prayers, cooperation, and intelligence support of traditional institutions and residents in complementing military efforts toward lasting peace in the state.
In his response, the Shehu of Borno commended the Nigerian Army for its gallantry, sacrifices, and humanitarian interventions, particularly during recent flooding incidents. He noted that the people of Borno remain grateful for the Army’s selfless service and commitment to peace.
The monarch praised the Army’s achievements in restoring normalcy, pointing out that no local government area in the state is currently under the control of terrorists. He assured the COAS of continued support through credible intelligence sharing and moral backing to ensure the total defeat of insurgency in the region.
