Nigeria’s counter-insurgency campaign in the North East is yielding tangible results, with more than 16,000 terrorists surrendering and thousands of their leaders eliminated, according to the military.
The Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Maj-Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar, disclosed this during a briefing with Defence Correspondents in Maiduguri, where he outlined recent operational gains against insurgent groups that have plagued the region for over a decade.
He said sustained and coordinated military operations have helped restore confidence among civilians and reopened key economic corridors that were previously inaccessible due to insecurity.
“People are returning to their ancestral homes. That is the true measure of success,” he said.
The commander highlighted humanitarian escorts, farm patrols and the clearance of waterways as critical components of the military’s strategy to restore livelihoods and normal economic activities across affected communities.
“Security is not just about guns; it is about allowing people to live normal lives again,” he added.
Maj-Gen Abubakar also reaffirmed the military’s commitment to transparency and collaboration with the media as part of efforts to build public trust and accountability.
“We will continue to keep our doors open so Nigerians know exactly what their Armed Forces are doing,” he said.
Corroborating the military’s claims during a visit to the Molai Forward Operating Base, a community leader, Bulama Yunus, commended the Armed Forces for what he described as the relative peace currently enjoyed by residents of the area. He declared that there have been no cases of terrorist attacks in recent times.
“We have peace, no boko-haram attack, there is no problem anywhere. We go to farm, market, and our businesses without any problem,” Yunus declared.
He revealed that elders of the community, along with traditional rulers, are actively advising youths to desist from engaging in acts of terrorism, as part of broader community efforts to sustain peace.
Yunus further commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Chief of Defence Staff and other military leaders for restoring normalcy in Borno State, offering prayers for God’s protection over the CDS and the entire Armed Forces.
He also disclosed that the Borno State Government reconstructed houses in the community, contributing to the resettlement of residents and the gradual return to normal life.
The North East has for years been at the centre of Nigeria’s insurgency, marked by widespread displacement, destruction of infrastructure and disruption of livelihoods. The military says ongoing operations under Operation Hadin Kai remain focused on degrading insurgent capacity, encouraging defections and supporting civil authorities in stabilising recovered areas.
