By Joy Odor Reportcircle News
The Commander Corps of Engineers (CCR), Major General Shamsideen Shafaru, has thrown his weight behind the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, following an operational assessment visit to Headquarters 7 Division, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), signaling renewed momentum in the North-East counter-terrorism campaign.
Major General Shafaru arrived at the theatre on Thursday, January 29, 2026, to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the combat readiness, operational efficiency and welfare of Engineer troops and platforms deployed in the ongoing war against terrorism.
The visit, described as both strategic and morale-boosting, focused on strengthening the combat-support backbone of OPHK, particularly in terrain clearance, route construction, counter-IED operations and force mobility.
Speaking during the visit, the CCR expressed deep satisfaction with the performance of 7 Division under the leadership of Brigadier General Unachukwu, commending the division’s operational discipline, resilience and battlefield adaptability.
“I am delighted and extremely proud of the accomplishments of 7 Division in the ongoing operations,” Shafaru said. “As a Combat Support Corps, our responsibility is to ensure we actively and proficiently support frontline troops.
That can only be achieved through a holistic assessment of our platforms and the readiness of our personnel, which are critical to mission success.”
He disclosed that the Nigerian Army has acquired additional engineering platforms, with some already earmarked for deployment into OPHK to further enhance operational effectiveness.
According to him, the assessment visit aligns with the Nigerian Army’s ongoing transformation agenda under the command philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, aimed at building a more resilient, adaptive and technology-driven force.
Major General Shafaru assured the Division of sustained collaboration and uninterrupted support from the Corps of Engineers, stressing that Engineer capabilities remain central to neutralising threats posed by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), which remain a major danger across operational corridors in the North-East.
Responding, the GOC 7 Division, Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, credited the division’s recent battlefield successes largely to the professionalism and courage of Engineer troops operating under extremely hazardous conditions.
“Our operational activities would not have been possible without the tireless and painstaking efforts of the Nigerian Army Engineers, particularly the 47 Engineer Brigade,” the GOC said.
He noted that the ability of troops to advance, hold ground and sustain momentum against terrorists was directly linked to the engineers’ effectiveness in route clearance, infrastructure support and counter-IED operations.
Brigadier General Unachukwu expressed profound appreciation to the Corps of Engineers for their unwavering support, while appealing for additional combat enablers to further enhance mission objectives.
He affirmed that 7 Division continues to live up to expectations, with troops displaying high morale and unwavering commitment to duty despite the complexity and risks of the operational environment.
The visit underscored the growing emphasis on combat support dominance as a force multiplier in Nigeria’s counter-insurgency campaign, reinforcing the critical role of engineers in shaping the battlefield and safeguarding frontline operations.
As OPHK sustains pressure on terrorist enclaves, the renewed synergy between the Corps of Engineers and 7 Division is expected to further tighten the military’s grip on insurgents, boost troop protection and accelerate operational gains across the North-East theatre.
