By Joy Odor Reportcircle News
Nigeria’s counter-terrorism architecture across the Lake Chad Basin entered a new operational phase on Tuesday as the newly appointed Force Commander of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Major General Saidu Audu, launched his first high-level engagement with troops of Operation HADIN KAI, signalling tighter coordination and renewed strategic focus in the war against insurgency.
The visit, conducted at the Maimalari Military Cantonment, Maiduguri, was both symbolic and tactical.
It marked Major General Audu’s formal introduction to the Theatre Command of Operation HADIN KAI and set the tone for deeper operational alignment ahead of joint missions across MNJTF member states.
Addressing senior officers, Audu said his immediate priority was to ensure seamless coordination between the MNJTF headquarters in N’Djamena and Operation HADIN KAI, stressing that fragmented efforts could no longer be afforded in a theatre as complex and fluid as the Lake Chad Basin.
He described collaboration, sustained vigilance and continuous operational monitoring as non-negotiable pillars for stabilising the region, which remains a shared security concern for Nigeria and neighbouring MNJTF countries.
The Force Commander commended the Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, for what he described as “meticulous and enlightening” operational briefings, noting that they provided a clear picture of both current realities and future threats.
According to Audu, the evolving nature of insurgent tactics demands constant refinement of operational strategies, proactive responses to emerging threats and deliberate lessons learned from past engagements to avoid costly reversals.
The visit, he said, underscored a renewed push for regional cooperation and operational synergy, particularly in securing critical waterways and economic corridors around Lake Chad.
Receiving the MNJTF Commander, Major General Abubakar described the visit as timely and strategically significant, coming at a critical phase of ongoing operations.
He said the engagement reinforced unity of purpose between Operation HADIN KAI and the MNJTF command structure, strengthening collective resolve against terrorism and transnational crime.
During the assessment, Major General Audu was taken through detailed briefings on efforts to secure the Lake Chad waterways, protect fishing and trade activities, and disrupt insurgent logistics networks.
He was also briefed on future operational projections and force posture adjustments.
Beyond strategy and briefings, the visit delivered a tangible boost to troop welfare.
Major General Audu commissioned the newly completed Sector 3 Officers’ Transit Accommodation at Maimalari Cantonment, a modern facility comprising eight fully furnished one-bedroom flats designed to support officers on administrative and welfare leave.
Speaking at the commissioning, the Theatre Commander congratulated the Sector 3 OPHK/MNJTF Commander for delivering the project, describing it as a critical welfare intervention that would reduce unnecessary troop movement and enhance operational efficiency.
He said the initiative aligns with the Chief of Army Staff’s “Soldiers First” philosophy and urged commanders at all levels to prioritise personnel welfare as a force multiplier in sustained counter-terrorism operations.
The visit concluded with interactive sessions, presentation of souvenirs and group photographs, reinforcing the depth of collaboration between Operation HADIN KAI and the MNJTF as both formations recalibrate for more coordinated and intelligence-driven operations along the Lake Chad axis.
Signed by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, DDI Media Information Officer, the engagement reflects a clear message from the new MNJTF leadership: the fight for Lake Chad’s stability will be tighter, smarter and more unified than ever.
