By Joy Odor | Maiduguri
In a show of firm leadership and renewed combat resolve, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has vowed to deal decisively with all remaining terrorist elements in the North East, pledging to sustain an aggressive and well-coordinated push to end insurgency once and for all.
The Army Chief made the declaration during his maiden operational assessment visit to the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (JTF) North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), in Maiduguri from November 6–7, 2025.
Addressing officers and troops at the Maimalari Cantonment, General Shaibu praised their resilience, courage, and tactical innovation in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP elements.
He commended the Theatre Command for introducing “game-changing operational strategies” that have shifted the balance of battle in favour of government forces.
“We will sustain relentless pressure until total peace is achieved,” Shaibu declared. “My administration will ensure improved motivation, welfare, and sound administration across all theatres of operation. These are the foundation of lasting victory.”
The Army Chief reaffirmed his commitment to equipping troops with modern combat platforms, logistics support, and critical capabilities, stressing that the Nigerian Army is now focused on decisive, intelligence-driven operations to deny terrorists any sanctuary.
As part of his visit, the COAS paid a courtesy call on the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji (Dr.) Abubakar Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, where he assured the monarch of the Army’s readiness to sustain offensive operations across the region.
“No effort will be spared in flushing out remnants of insurgents and restoring lasting peace,” the Army Chief stated, while commending the people of Borno for their intelligence support and collaboration with troops.
Responding, the Shehu of Borno hailed the Nigerian Army for its sacrifices and praised General Shaibu’s leadership, describing him as “a dependable ally of Borno State.”
He lauded the military’s role during humanitarian emergencies, including the 2024 flood crisis, and pledged continued cooperation with security forces.
During the visit, the COAS commissioned new welfare infrastructure at Maimalari Cantonment, including the Heroes Transit Accommodation and the groundbreaking of 30 one-bedroom flats for corporals and below, under the “Soldier First Concept” an initiative designed to strengthen troop welfare and morale.
He also inspected combat enablers, held interactive sessions with senior officers, visited wounded soldiers at the military hospital, and received operational briefings from commanders of the Theatre and 7 Division.
Accompanied by senior officers from Army Headquarters and the JTF command structure, the COAS’s visit, analysts say, marks a new phase in Nigeria’s counterinsurgency operations, emphasizing both kinetic superiority and human-centered leadership in the war to stabilize the North East.
