By Bavoriat Clara
The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, has reaffirmed the Nigerian military’s determination to intensify operations aimed at decisively ending insurgency in the North-East region.
Major General Abubakar made this known on Saturday, January 24, 2026, during the combined West African Social Activity (WASA) for the year 2025, jointly hosted by the Headquarters Theatre Command OPHK and Headquarters 7 Division, Nigerian Army, at the 212 Parade Ground, Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri. The disclosure was contained in a statement issued by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba.
Describing WASA as an enduring tradition of the Nigerian Army, the Theatre Commander said the event was designed to preserve the service’s ethics, customs and traditions through social interaction among troops, their families and well-wishers, while also marking the conclusion of activities for the year 2025.
According to him, the occasion provided an opportunity to reflect on the Command’s operational engagements over the past year.
Major General Abubakar stated that significant progress had been recorded in the restoration of law and order across the North-East, particularly in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. He stressed that the relative peace being enjoyed in the region was a direct result of the commitment, resilience and sacrifices of troops operating in line with the Command Philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
The Theatre Commander expressed profound appreciation to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; and the Service Chiefs for their strategic guidance, improved logistics and enhanced welfare support for personnel. He assured that Operation HADIN KAI would double its efforts to decimate the remaining terrorist elements in Borno and other parts of the North-East.
In his remarks, the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Honourable Bukar Tijjani, commended the Nigerian Army for its sustained efforts in maintaining peace and security in the state. He assured that the Borno State Government and its people would continue to support OPHK in the pursuit of lasting peace and pledged sustained collaboration with the Theatre Command.
The governor also commiserated with the families of fallen soldiers who paid the supreme price in the line of duty and prayed for the speedy recovery of wounded personnel, describing them as patriotic Nigerians who sacrificed for the sovereignty of the nation.
Earlier, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 OPHK, Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, while delivering the vote of thanks, expressed gratitude to the Borno State Government for its unwavering support and sense of ownership of security efforts.
He also thanked the Theatre Commander for his leadership and guidance, as well as heads of sister security agencies and other stakeholders for their contributions to peace and stability in the joint operational environment.
The event featured colourful cultural displays representing Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, a tug-of-war contest between the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force, comedy performances, award presentations to outstanding soldiers of the year, a suya competition, presentation of souvenirs to special guests, the beating of the retreat and the symbolic lighting of the bonfire, which brought the ceremony to a close.
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