The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has emphasised that sustained public support, timely intelligence sharing and effective collaboration between the military and civilian authorities are critical to defeating terrorism and achieving lasting peace and security in the North East.
A statement signed by Colonel Appolonia Anele Acting Director Army Public Relations said the COAS stated this on Saturday, 17 October 2026, during a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, at the Government House, Maiduguri, as part of his operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI.
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General Shaibu commended Governor Zulum and the people of Borno State for their unwavering support to troops conducting counter-terrorism operations, describing their contributions as vital to sustaining operational momentum and consolidating security gains across the state.
He particularly acknowledged the state government’s interventions in logistics, provision of operational enablers, troop welfare and assistance to families of fallen heroes, noting that such support has significantly enhanced troops’ morale and operational effectiveness.
The Army Chief stressed that the fight against terrorism cannot be won through military operations alone, emphasising that public trust, community cooperation and timely provision of credible intelligence remain indispensable to identifying terrorist hideouts, disrupting criminal networks and preventing attacks.
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He therefore urged residents to sustain their cooperation with security agencies, assuring them of the Nigerian Army’s determination to protect lives and property, facilitate the safe return of displaced persons and support the restoration of normalcy across affected communities.
General Shaibu reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Borno State Government, other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to consolidate operational successes and achieve sustainable peace in the region.
Responding, Governor Zulum commended the COAS for his leadership and acknowledged the sacrifices, resilience and professionalism of the Theatre Commander, Sector Commanders, officers and soldiers of Operation HADIN KAI in combating terrorism and restoring stability.
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The Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing necessary support to military operations, stressing that security remains fundamental to economic recovery, humanitarian interventions and sustainable development.
He further advocated stronger military-civilian collaboration to address lingering security and humanitarian challenges, particularly the safe resettlement of internally displaced persons and the rebuilding of communities affected by insurgency.
