The Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, has said that Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists are not fighting only the Nigerian military but are waging war against the entire country.
Speaking in Maiduguri during a media tour of the operational theatre, Gen. Abubakar told Defence Correspondents that the fight against insurgency is not a traditional war but an asymmetric one, which makes it more challenging to combat.
“This is not terrorists versus soldiers. It is terrorists versus Nigeria,” he said. “Once we understand this and unite as a nation, we will make real progress.”
The Theatre Commander highlighted the sacrifices made by troops deployed across the North-East under harsh weather and dangerous conditions to protect communities and stabilize affected areas. He urged the media and Nigerians to show appreciation and support to the military personnel, describing them as heroes.
Gen. Abubakar also emphasized that the military is committed to upholding human rights even during combat operations. He added that soldiers are trained to follow lawful procedures in all their engagements.
Also speaking, Brig.-Gen. Adamu Ibrahim, Chief of Staff of Operation Hadin Kai, addressed concerns about why female Boko Haram members are not being killed or prosecuted. He explained that Nigeria is a signatory to international laws of armed conflict which protect non-combatants, including women and children.
“Unless a woman takes up arms or is directly involved in fighting, she is not considered a combatant,” he said. “We follow international humanitarian laws strictly and do not target families of terrorists.”
Maj. Ademola Owolana, another senior officer, gave an overview of the operation’s efforts and challenges. He said that terrorists continue to use drones, plant IEDs, and exploit insider threats to undermine military efforts.
Despite these obstacles, Owolana noted that the military has recorded significant successes. In a recent operation in Kukawa, troops backed by air support killed 28 terrorists and seized motorcycles.
He warned that insurgents are now attacking isolated villages to gather food, weapons, and recruits, adding that the desperation of their leaders shows the pressure being mounted by military operations.
Operation Hadin Kai is the Nigerian Army’s joint task force working to eliminate insurgency across the North-East region.
