Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
THE Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, has reaffirmed the Nigerian military’s resolve to intensify operations aimed at decisively ending insurgency in the North-East.
Major General Abubakar gave the assurance on Saturday, 24 January 2026, during the combined West African Social Activity (WASA) for 2025, jointly hosted by Headquarters Theatre Command OPHK and Headquarters 7 Division of the Nigerian Army at the 212 Parade Ground, Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.
Describing WASA as a long-standing tradition of the Nigerian Army, the Theatre Commander said the event was designed to preserve military ethics, customs and traditions through social interaction among troops, their families and well-wishers, while also marking the close of activities for the year 2025. “The event offers us the opportunity to reflect on our operational engagements over the past year,” he said.
He noted that significant progress had been recorded in efforts to restore law and order across the North-East, particularly in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, adding that the relative peace being celebrated was a direct outcome of the resilience, dedication and sacrifice of troops operating in line with the Command Philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff.
Major General Abubakar expressed deep appreciation to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Service Chiefs for their strategic direction, improved logistics and enhanced welfare support for personnel. He assured that Operation HADIN KAI would double its efforts to decimate the remnants of terrorist elements in Borno and other parts of the North-East region.
In his remarks, the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Honourable Bukar Tijjani, commended the Nigerian Army for its sustained commitment to peace and security in the state. He pledged the continued support of the Borno State Government and its people to OPHK, assuring of sustained collaboration to achieve lasting peace.
The governor also commiserated with the families of fallen soldiers who paid the supreme price in the line of duty and prayed for the speedy recovery of wounded personnel, describing them as patriotic Nigerians who sacrificed for the sovereignty of the nation.
Earlier, the General Officer Commanding 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 OPHK, Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, expressed gratitude to the Borno State Government for its unwavering support and sense of ownership of security efforts. He also thanked the Theatre Commander for his leadership and the Chairman of the Organising Committee, heads of sister security agencies and other stakeholders for their contributions to peace and stability in the joint operational environment.
The combined WASA 2025 featured colourful cultural displays from Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, a tug-of-war contest between the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force, comedy performances, award presentations to outstanding soldiers, a suya competition, presentation of souvenirs to special guests, the beating of the retreat and the symbolic lighting of the bonfire, which brought the ceremony to a close.
