By Harriet Tornguvan
The Force Commander of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Major General Saidu Audu, has undertaken a strategic operational assessment visit to the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), at the Maimalari Military Cantonment, Maiduguri, Borno State.
The visit marked Major General Audu’s first official engagement with OPHK since assuming office as Force Commander of the MNJTF, headquartered in N’Djamena, Chad. He said the visit was aimed at formally introducing himself to the OPHK leadership and strengthening coordination ahead of joint and combined operations across the Lake Chad Basin.
In a statement issued by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Theatre Command Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the MNJTF Commander stressed that collaboration, sustained vigilance and continuous monitoring remain critical to stabilising the Lake Chad Basin, which he described as a shared priority of all MNJTF member nations.
Major General Audu commended the Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, for the comprehensive and insightful operational briefings presented during the visit.
He described the briefings as meticulous and enlightening, noting the need to continually refine operational strategies, integrate emerging threat dynamics and apply lessons learned from past operations to avoid setbacks.
According to him, the engagement underscored the importance of strengthened regional cooperation and operational synergy in the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign.
Major General Abubakar described the visit as timely and highly significant, particularly given the prevailing security environment. He said the engagement provided a valuable opportunity to further deepen operational synergy between OPHK and the MNJTF in addressing security challenges within the North-East and the wider Lake Chad region.
Major General Audu also received detailed briefings on ongoing operations, including efforts to secure the Lake Chad waterways, protect legitimate economic activities and project future operational requirements.
Additionally, as part of the assessment tour, the MNJTF Commander commissioned the newly completed Sector 3 Officers’ Transit Accommodation at Maimalari Cantonment. The facility, which comprises eight fully furnished one-bedroom flats, is designed to cater for officers on administrative and welfare-related duties, while reducing unnecessary personnel movement.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Theatre Commander congratulated the Commander, Sector 3 OPHK/MNJTF, on the milestone achievement, describing it as a significant boost to officers’ welfare.
He noted that the initiative aligns with the Chief of Army Staff’s “Soldiers First” philosophy and urged commanders at all levels to prioritise troop welfare and emulate similar initiatives.
The strategic visit featured operational briefings, interactive sessions, presentation of souvenirs and group photographs, reflecting the robust collaboration between Operation Hadin Kai and the MNJTF in optimising operational platforms and enhancing counter-terrorism effectiveness along the Lake Chad waterways.
