RismadarVoice Reporters
March 19, 2026
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Wednesday visited the Headquarters of the Theatre Command, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, just 24 hours after a series of suicide bomb attacks within the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council.
Addressing officers and troops at the Maimalari Cantonment, the CDS commended the personnel for their resilience, sacrifice, and sustained operational pressure on terrorist groups.
He urged them to remain fully committed and resolute in executing their duties.
General Oluyede directed field commanders to intensify offensive operations, strengthen intelligence networks, and adopt innovative and proactive strategies to dominate the battlespace.
He assured troops of sustained strategic support from Defence Headquarters to decisively defeat terrorism in the region.
The COAS also lauded the troops for their unwavering dedication and charged commanders to maintain and intensify offensive operations.
He emphasised a firm “never again” posture to deny terrorist elements any operational space, particularly during sensitive periods such as Ramadan. Additional support and critical enablers were promised to enhance operational effectiveness and force protection across the theatre.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander presented a detailed operational brief, highlighting ongoing engagements, challenges, and recent successes.
He revealed that over 200 terrorist elements were neutralised in recent operations, with several others severely injured, significantly reducing their combat capability.
The Theatre Commander reassured that Operation HADIN KAI troops remain resolute, undeterred, and fully committed to sustaining intensified offensive actions aimed at restoring lasting peace and economic stability across the North East.
