KEY POINTS

• The North-East security operations demand sustained aggressiveness.

• Army chief urges troops to maintain full vigilance.

• Commanders receive directives to improve coordination efforts.

Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has urged frontline troops to maintain heightened vigilance and an aggressive stance as North-East security operations continue to push against entrenched terrorist networks.

His remarks came during an operational assessment visit to the Joint Task Force headquarters in Maiduguri, where he met commanders, troops, and state officials.

Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba of Operation HADIN KAI said the visit aims to review the security landscape, assess operational performance, and strengthen coordination across security agencies.

Army chief pushes stronger North-East security operations

Shaibu told personnel that their resilience was noted across the military hierarchy, but warned that complacency remained dangerous. He emphasised the need for sustained pressure to prevent terrorists from regrouping. “Troops must sustain vigilance and maintain aggressive posture,” the statement quoted him as saying.

He also held closed-door sessions with theatre commanders, directing them to sharpen intelligence sharing and improve synchronisation across units. According to the statement, the Army chief “emphasised the need for continuous operational aggressiveness to deny terrorists freedom of action across the theatre.”

Commanders brief on ongoing North-East security operations

Theatre Commander Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar briefed Shaibu on current missions, constraints and newly emerging threats. He outlined areas where additional support may accelerate gains already recorded in recent offensives.

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum met Shaibu during the visit and described his appointment as the 25th Chief of Army Staff as “well deserved.” Zulum said the General’s long-standing operational experience in the region had contributed to the “drastic reduction of insurgency” in recent years.

He assured troops of the state’s support and urged them not to be discouraged by isolated attacks. The governor also reaffirmed the state’s commitment to working with the military and other security agencies to stabilise the region.

Finally Shaibu, in response, praised the collaboration with the state government and said the Army remains committed to restoring peace in Borno and across the North-East. He was accompanied by senior officers from Army Headquarters.