- He stressed that the fight against insurgency requires sustained national backing
- Abubakar, revealed that troops had eliminated over 280 insurgents
- Musa praised the military for the progress recorded so far, attributing recent successes to better coordination
The Minister of Defence, Major General Christopher Musa (retd.), alongside the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to defeat terrorism during a visit to the Theatre Command Headquarters of Operation HADIN KAI in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Eko Hot Blog reports the visit was aimed at evaluating ongoing counter-insurgency efforts in the North-East.
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Speaking during the inspection, Musa praised the military for the progress recorded so far, attributing recent successes to better coordination, discipline, and operational efficiency among troops.
He stressed that the fight against insurgency requires sustained national backing, while reiterating President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to restoring peace and security across affected regions.
Addressing soldiers at the command, the ministers conveyed the President’s appreciation for their dedication and sacrifices, urging them to remain resolute in the ongoing operations.
As part of their visit, Musa and Matawalle honoured fallen heroes at the Maiduguri Military Cemetery, where they laid wreaths in recognition of personnel who lost their lives in service to the nation.
They also toured newly developed facilities, including a modern Command and Control Centre designed to improve intelligence gathering and operational coordination, as well as newly constructed housing units intended to enhance troop welfare and morale.
During a briefing, the Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, revealed that troops had eliminated over 280 insurgents during the Ramadan period. He added that military operations also disrupted supply chains, rescued kidnapped civilians, and sustained pressure on criminal elements through coordinated air and ground offensives.
The ministers also paid a courtesy visit to the Shehu of Borno, commending the traditional ruler for his continued support to security forces and acknowledging the resilience of residents in the region.
At the Borno State Government House, they were received by the deputy governor, who expressed gratitude for the efforts of the Armed Forces and ongoing federal support. In response, the ministers assured that operations would be intensified and collaboration with state authorities strengthened.
Despite these efforts, security challenges persist. Maiduguri witnessed renewed attacks in March 2026, including explosions at the Post Office area and Monday Market, which left at least 23 people dead and over 100 injured.
The military, however, continues to ramp up operations under Operation HADIN KAI, targeting insurgent strongholds, cutting off supply routes, and working to prevent further violence in the region.
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