By Bavoriat Clara
The Force Commander of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Major General Saidu Audu, on Tuesday paid a strategic operational assessment visit to the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), at the Maimalari Military Cantonment in Maiduguri, Borno State.
According to a statement by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Theatre Command Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the visit was aimed at formally introducing Major General Audu as the new Force Commander of the MNJTF, headquartered in N’Djamena, Chad, and strengthening coordination ahead of joint operations.
Addressing officers during the visit, Major General Audu stressed the importance of collaboration, sustained vigilance and continuous monitoring in stabilising the Lake Chad Basin, noting that the region remains a shared security priority for all MNJTF member nations.
He commended the Theatre Commander, OPHK, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, for what he described as detailed and insightful operational briefings, adding that refining strategies, integrating emerging threat assessments and drawing lessons from past operations were essential to preventing setbacks.
Major General Abubakar described the visit as timely and significant, particularly given the current operational environment, and said it would further strengthen synergy between the MNJTF and Operation HADIN KAI.
During the visit, the Force Commander received comprehensive briefings on ongoing operations, including efforts to secure Lake Chad waterways, safeguard economic activities and future operational projections.
As part of the assessment, Major General Audu commissioned the newly completed Sector 3 Officers’ Transit Accommodation at the Maimalari Cantonment. The facility comprises 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 on the project, saying it would enhance welfare, reduce unnecessary troop movement and align with the Chief of Army Staff’s “Soldiers First” initiative. He urged other commanders to prioritise personnel welfare and replicate similar initiatives.
The visit featured interactive sessions, operational briefings, presentation of souvenirs and group photographs, underscoring the continued cooperation between Operation HADIN KAI and the MNJTF in enhancing counter-terrorism operations across the Lake Chad region.
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