COAS Visits Maiduguri, Charges Troops to Eliminate Terrorists in North East
By Hajara Abdullahi
The newly appointed Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has paid an operational visit to Nigerian troops under the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation HADIN KAI, in Borno State.
According to a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Apolonia Anele, posted on the Nigerian Army’s official X handle on Friday, the visit aligns with the ongoing efforts of the troops under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to consolidate counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations aimed at eliminating terrorists in the North East.
While addressing the troops at Maimalari Cantonment, Lieutenant General Shaibu commended their gallant efforts and urged them to sustain the relentless fight to eradicate the remaining insurgents in the region.
The visit also featured the commissioning of the Heroes Transit Accommodation at Maimalari Cantonment, the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of four blocks of 30-family quarters for corporals, inspection of combat platforms, and visits to wounded-in-action personnel at the 7 Division Military Hospital, as well as frontline troops deployed at Bama and adjoining sectors.
“He emphasized the imperative of decisively dealing with the insurgents to ensure normalcy in the region, while creating an enabling atmosphere for socio-economic recovery and stability across the North East,” the statement read in part.
The statement added that the Army Chief undertook the operational visit to assess the readiness of formations and units, demonstrating his commitment to providing necessary logistics, welfare, and incentives to boost troops’ morale and enhance operational efficiency. He also pledged to uphold his predecessor’s “soldier first” policy while emphasizing fairness, justice, and professionalism.
“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 COAS declared.
Lieutenant General Shaibu also paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Highness, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji (Dr.) Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin Elkanemi, CFR, where he sought continued prayers, intelligence sharing, and cooperation from traditional rulers and citizens to enhance ongoing military operations. He further assured the monarch of the Army’s determination to restore peace and stability in Borno State and the entire North East region.
In his remarks, the Shehu of Borno commended the Nigerian Army for its gallantry, sacrifices, and humanitarian interventions, particularly during the recent flooding incident, noting that “the humanitarian services rendered can never be forgotten by the people.”
The monarch also lauded the Army’s progress, stating that no single Local Government Area in the state is currently under terrorist control. He pledged continued support through credible intelligence sharing and moral encouragement to ensure the total defeat of insurgency.
The statement concluded that the visit marks a new phase in the Nigerian Army’s counterinsurgency efforts, reflecting the COAS’s determination to strengthen operational strategies toward restoring lasting peace and stability in the region.
