By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has directed troops of Operation HADIN KAI to sustain aggressive operations against terrorists in the North East, declaring that the period of remaining on the defensive is over.
Shaibu gave the charge during an operational assessment visit to the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lt. Col. Sani Uba.
According to the statement, the Army Chief’s visit was aimed at assessing the current security situation in the theatre, evaluating the effectiveness of ongoing operations and strengthening collaboration among security stakeholders to tackle the remaining threats in the region.
While addressing troops, Shaibu commended officers and soldiers for their gallantry, resilience and sacrifice in defending innocent civilians and degrading terrorist elements across the theatre of operations.
He urged the troops to remain vigilant and sustain the operational momentum in order to eliminate the remaining insurgents operating in the region.
The COAS also stressed the importance of improved coordination among units, robust intelligence gathering and a more proactive operational posture to consolidate the gains recorded by the military.
Shaibu further directed troops to maintain sustained pressure on terrorist elements to deny them freedom of movement and action, especially during the final phase of the Ramadan period and beyond.
He emphasised that troops must continue to take the fight directly to the terrorists wherever they may be hiding.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, briefed the Army Chief on recent operational activities, achievements and challenges in the theatre.
Abubakar assured the COAS of the troops’ professionalism, commitment and patriotism in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign.
He noted that despite isolated setbacks recorded in some locations, the morale and fighting efficiency of troops remain high, adding that the forces remain determined to sustain operations until lasting peace and stability are restored across the North East.
