The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to sustaining offensive operations until insurgents are completely denied any form of support or refuge.
The Army Chief made this known during his maiden visit to the Theatre Command, Operation Hadin Kai, in Maiduguri, Borno State.
According to a statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Appolonia Anele, General Shaibu charged troops to intensify their efforts to crush the remaining insurgents and restore lasting peace across the North-East region.
“The Nigerian Army under my command will pursue this fight with renewed energy, clear focus, and absolute dedication to end this menace once and for all,” he said.
He further directed troops to maintain consistent pressure on terrorist elements until total victory is achieved, assuring that the Nigerian Army will leave no stone unturned in its mission to end insurgency in the country.
The statement added that the visit aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to consolidate on the progress made in the ongoing counterterrorism and counterinsurgency campaigns.
During the visit, the Chief of Army Staff also paid a courtesy call on His Royal Highness, the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Elkanemi, where he sought continued prayers, intelligence sharing, and collaboration from traditional institutions and citizens to support ongoing military operations.
Shaibu assured the monarch of the Army’s capacity and determination to restore lasting peace and stability in Borno State and across the North-East corridor.
In his response, the Shehu of Borno commended the Nigerian Army for its bravery, sacrifices, and humanitarian interventions—particularly during flood incidents—acknowledging that such acts of service would not be forgotten by the people.
He praised the Army’s achievements in restoring peace to the state, noting that no Local Government Area in Borno is currently under terrorist control. The traditional ruler also pledged continued support through intelligence sharing and moral encouragement toward achieving complete victory over insurgency.
Highlights of the visit included an operational briefing at the Theatre Command Headquarters, the commissioning of the Heroes Transit Accommodation at Maimalari Cantonment, a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Family Corporal and Below Quarters, inspection of combat platforms, and visits to wounded-in-action personnel at the 7 Division Military Hospital and Services as well as frontline troops stationed in Bama and surrounding sectors.