Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
THE Force Commander of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Major General Saidu Audu, has called for a significant ramping up of joint operations with the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) during a strategic visit to its headquarters in Maiduguri.
The meeting, which took place on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, saw senior military officials from both forces engage in what was described as a “robust interactive session” aimed at boosting coordination against terrorist networks operating in the Lake Chad region.
Major General Audu said the purpose of the visit was to “brainstorm and generate a high volume of ideas” with OPHK command, with the ultimate goal of enhancing synergy and jointness between the two formations.
“Collaborative efforts remain the most viable pathway to decisively decimate terrorist elements and deny them freedom of action,” the Force Commander told senior officers.
He praised the MNJTF as a unique multinational alliance, stressing that the combined resolve of contributing nations was essential to maintaining the momentum against insurgency.
Major General Audu also commended the Theatre Commander of OPHK, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, for the warm reception and, more importantly, for upholding the theatre command’s mandate – efforts he said had brought the insurgency under “considerable control”.
In response, Major General Abubakar described the visit as both timely and strategic, adding that it would undoubtedly enhance operational effectiveness in the security, peace and economic interests of all MNJTF contributing nations.
He reaffirmed OPHK’s commitment to sustained collaboration with the MNJTF, vowing to safeguard lives and property in the North East and improve socio-economic activity across the Chad basin region.
The high-level gathering was attended by a host of senior officers, including Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 1 OPHK; Brigadier General Ndjonkep Frederic, Deputy Force Commander of MNJTF; and Brigadier General Sani Ahmed, Chief of Staff to the Theatre Commander.
Other attendees included component and field commanders, principal staff officers, and senior personnel from both task forces.
Highlights of the visit included an inspection of the Quarter Guard by the Force Commander, operational briefings, the exchange of souvenirs, an endorsement of the visitors’ register, and a group photograph.
