Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, has called on retired members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Nigerian Legion to sustain their support for ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations by providing timely, credible and actionable intelligence to thwart the activities of terrorists and other criminal elements across the North-East. The Theatre Commander made the call on Tuesday in Maiduguri while receiving separate courtesy visits from the leadership of the Retired Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Nigerian Legion, Borno State Chapter, at the Headquarters of Operation HADIN KAI, emphasising that the asymmetric nature of the ongoing conflict demands sustained intelligence sharing, effective civil-military cooperation and seamless communication to deny terrorists freedom of action and disrupt their logistics networks.
Major General Abubakar congratulated the newly elected executives of both associations and commended their enduring commitment to national security and the Armed Forces of Nigeria, acknowledging the invaluable contributions of military veterans to the operational successes recorded by Operation HADIN KAI. He described REMANAF and the Nigerian Legion as custodians of the Armed Forces' rich heritage and institutional memory, urging members to leverage their wealth of experience, professional expertise and extensive community networks in support of ongoing operations by providing relevant information that would aid operational planning and decision-making. The Theatre Commander assured the veteran groups of the Theatre Command's continued collaboration and support, adding that the sacrifices and selfless service of veterans remain highly valued and that their legitimate welfare concerns would continue to receive appropriate attention.
The appeal to military veterans comes as Operation HADIN KAI intensifies its efforts to consolidate gains recorded in the theatre, with the Theatre Commander reaffirming that the operation would continue to integrate both kinetic and non-kinetic lines of operation in the execution of its mandate to restore enduring peace, security and stability across the North-East. He stressed that strengthening partnerships with veterans and other critical stakeholders remains essential to consolidating the gains recorded in the theatre, noting that the evolving nature of terrorism and insurgency requires a comprehensive approach that combines military action with community engagement and intelligence-driven operations. The Theatre Commander's call reflects a broader strategy to harness the experience and grassroots connections of retired military personnel, who possess decades of operational knowledge and extensive networks across communities in the North-East.
Earlier, the Chairmen of REMANAF and the Nigerian Legion, Major Tijani Mohammed and Lieutenant Commander Bukar Kyari, congratulated the Theatre Commander on his well-deserved appointment and commended his leadership. They noted that the improving security situation across Borno State and the wider North-East reflected the commitment, resilience and professionalism of Operation HADIN KAI troops. The veteran leaders said their visit was aimed at formally introducing their organisations, reaffirming their commitment to supporting the military's counter-terrorism mission and strengthening collaboration through intelligence sharing, community engagement and other lawful activities that complement ongoing military operations. They also appealed for increased attention to the welfare of retired servicemen, widows, orphans and persons living with disabilities within their associations, expressing confidence that stronger collaboration with Operation HADIN KAI would further enhance support for veterans and reinforce the bond between serving and retired military personnel.
The visits concluded with the signing of the visitors' register, presentation of souvenirs and a group photograph, attended by the Deputy Theatre Commander, Air Vice Marshal Olushola Akinboyewa, alongside Principal Staff Officers and other senior officers of Headquarters Operation HADIN KAI. The engagement with veteran organisations is part of Operation HADIN KAI's broader civil-military collaboration strategy, which recognises that sustainable peace in the North-East requires the active participation of all stakeholders, including retired military personnel who remain invested in the security and stability of their communities. The Theatre Commander's emphasis on intelligence sharing aligns with the military's recognition that terrorist networks rely on collaborators and logistics chains that can only be effectively disrupted through accurate and timely intelligence.
The call for sustained intelligence sharing comes against the backdrop of significant operational successes recorded by Operation HADIN KAI, including the neutralisation of high-profile terrorist commanders and the surrender of thousands of Boko Haram suspects and their family members. Major General Abubakar had earlier disclosed that the Nigerian military is leveraging its partnership with the United States to intensify operations against Boko Haram and its splinter groups, with high-level intelligence from the US enabling the theatre to carry out precision attacks on terrorists' hideouts. He revealed that in 2025 alone, more than 16,000 Boko Haram suspects and their family members surrendered to the military due to sustained operational pressure, contributing to improved security in the region and helping revive economic and social activities. The Theatre Commander also identified terrorist collaborators as a major obstacle, noting that they play a critical role in sustaining insurgent logistics, and announced a special offensive tagged "Logistics Strangulation Operation" aimed at cutting off supply routes to insurgents.
As Operation HADIN KAI continues to combine kinetic and non-kinetic strategies in its efforts to restore lasting peace across the North-East, the Theatre Commander's appeal to military veterans represents a strategic recognition that the fight against terrorism cannot be won by military means alone. The involvement of retired military personnel in intelligence gathering and community engagement is expected to enhance the military's operational effectiveness by providing local knowledge and grassroots connections that are essential for identifying and disrupting terrorist networks. With the support of veterans and other critical stakeholders, Operation HADIN KAI aims to consolidate the gains already achieved in the theatre and create conditions for enduring peace, security and stability across the North-East. The Theatre Commander's message is clear: the asymmetric nature of the conflict demands robust, sustained intelligence sharing, and military veterans have a crucial role to play in supporting the nation's counter-terrorism efforts.
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