By Joy Odor Reportcircle News
The Nigerian Army has moved to further harden its counter-insurgency operations in the North East as the Commander Corps of Engineers (CCE), Major General Shamsudeen Shafaru, carried out a sweeping operational assessment of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), commending troops while pledging modern engineering platforms to boost battlefield dominance.
Major General Shafaru, who undertook a five-day assessment tour of the theatre, praised the resilience, professionalism and fighting spirit of troops battling insurgents under extremely harsh and complex conditions.
The visit, which began on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, took the CCE across the Headquarters Theatre Command, sectors, components, formations and units of OPHK, underscoring the Army High Command’s renewed focus on strengthening combat support capabilities in the long-running North East campaign.
Speaking at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North East) on Thursday, January 29, the CCE said his mission was clear: to evaluate, reposition and enhance the operational effectiveness of Nigerian Army Engineers (NAE) deployed in the theatre.
“I am here to assess the operational environment and ensure that our engineer troops are better equipped, better trained and better positioned to support ongoing operations,” he said.
Major General Shafaru reserved special commendation for engineer personnel, describing them as a critical force multiplier whose contributions have remained central to OPHK’s operational successes.
He lauded the Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, and his troops for their courage, discipline and selfless service, noting that they have continued to deliver results despite the difficult terrain, asymmetric tactics of insurgents and intense psychological pressures of the war.
According to the CCE, the visit was inspired by the command philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff, which seeks to transform the Nigerian Army into a professional, adaptive, combat-ready and resilient force, capable of operating seamlessly within joint and multi-agency frameworks.
He disclosed that OPHK was among the first operational theatres he chose to visit after assuming office, a decision aimed at fast-tracking reforms and improving the performance of engineer troops, particularly in the North East.
In a major assurance to frontline troops, Major General Shafaru pledged sustained investment in training, capacity development and the deployment of modern engineering platforms to enhance operational effectiveness.
He said upgraded equipment and specialised enablers would strengthen combat engineering tasks such as route clearance, counter-IED operations, fortifications, bridge construction and mobility support, all crucial in degrading terrorist capabilities.
“We remain focused on providing modern engineering equipment that will further support efforts to rid the North East of terrorism,” he assured.
Responding, the Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, described the visit as timely and strategic, especially as insurgents continue to adapt their tactics.
He highlighted the indispensable role played by Army engineers in countering evolving threats and assured the CCE of the welfare and safety of engineer personnel across the theatre.
The Theatre Commander also appealed for sustained support and additional enablers, noting that enhanced engineering capacity would directly translate to increased mission success and troop survivability.
The visit featured detailed operational briefings, inspections of key facilities, exchanges of souvenirs, signing of the visitors’ book and guided tours of selected sectors and formations within the theatre.
By the time the assessment tour ended on Sunday, February 1, 2026, the message from Army Headquarters was unmistakable: engineering power is being repositioned as a decisive weapon in Nigeria’s counter-insurgency fight.
As Operation HADIN KAI presses forward, the renewed focus on modern engineering support signals a tightening of the military noose around insurgent networks and a clear warning that the Nigerian Army is adapting, upgrading and advancing on all fronts.
