Major General. Abdulsalam Abubakar, theater commander of Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), says the security situation in the region has improved significantly following sustained counter-terrorism operations and renewed synergy among security agencies.
He said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Maiduguri.
Abubakar said the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) maintained the operational initiative across the theatre, denying terrorists freedom of movement and access to logistics that once fueled their terror campaigns.
He said persistent insecurity in the northeast was not an isolated phenomenon but was closely linked to broader regional and global developments, including instability in the Sahel, the Middle East and the war between Russia and Ukraine.
“Since November of last year, we have seen an increase in the use of armed drones and radio-controlled improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by terrorists. These trends are direct consequences of global technological proliferation linked to conflicts elsewhere.
“However, our forces continue to maintain the initiative. The objective of the armed forces remains to expel the terrorists from their remaining strongholds in the Sambisa Forest, the Mandara Mountains, the Tumbuns and the Lake Chad Islands (LCIs),” he said.
Abubakar highlighted that coordinated operations aimed at achieving this strategic objective were yielding notable results.
He said: “In the last two months alone, around 26 key terrorist commanders have been neutralized, with substantial recoveries of weapons, ammunition and vehicles. Many insurgent camps have been cleared and destroyed, forcing the remnants of the groups to take refuge in isolated pockets.
“Socio-economic activities have resumed in most areas that were previously under terrorist influence. Markets have reopened, schools are functioning and once unsafe roads are now seeing daily movement of goods and people. This is an important milestone for us as a nation.”
The commander said sustained pressure by Nigerian Army troops had restored confidence among citizens, leading to an increase in voluntary returns to ancestral homes under the Borno State Government’s resettlement framework.
While highlighting some of the key achievements of the operations, Abubakar described the strangling of the terrorists’ logistics strategy as a turning point in the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP.
“By cutting off their supply chains, we have effectively crippled their ability to sustain protracted confrontations. Several IED manufacturing factories have been discovered and destroyed, and we have recorded enormous successes in interdicting their logistics convoys,” he said.
Abubakar cited the July 2025 operation in Dikwa, where troops recovered more than 50 lethal improvised explosive devices (IEDs), as an example of how intelligence-led missions altered enemy capabilities.
He said troops neutralized more than 257 terrorists in coordinated ground and air offensives, and many others surrendered along with their families between July and September 2025.
“The use of drones by terrorists has also been restricted through the deployment of advanced anti-drone technology and improved air dominance made possible by the unwavering support of the Military High Command.
“Weapons recoveries have increased significantly and our sustained offensive operations have continued to reduce the battle space for terrorists,” he said.
Reacting to reports of fresh attacks in some border communities around Kirawa, Abubakar said the incidents were desperate attempts by terrorists to create fear and attract attention.
“Most of these attacks are limited to remote border settlements, reflecting more desperation than strength. Kirawa was previously under the security framework of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), but we have now made adequate deployments to strengthen control and prevent further incursions,” Abubakar said.
To stop the attacks, Abubakar said the military command had deployed additional troops and logistical resources to the Kirawa axis, including rapid response teams, armored vehicles and surveillance units to ensure rapid response to any threat.
“OPHK covers about 130,000 square kilometers, so the terrain is vast. But we have improved our deployment posture and improved coordination with the MNJTF and local security volunteers to ensure that no area remains vulnerable. Kirawa is now fully secured with boots on the ground,” he said.
Abubakar reiterated the commitment of the Armed Forces to achieving lasting peace in the region, highlighting that the troops remain motivated and focused on their missions.
He urged residents to continue cooperating with the military by providing credible intelligence as well as denying logistical support to terrorists.
“Citizens must collaborate with the military to fish out bad elements. This is a whole-of-society approach to asymmetric warfare. Logistical denial and the timely passing of information by communities remain crucial to our collective success.”
The commander also praised the bravery of the OPHK officers and men, who demonstrated courage, resilience and sacrifice in defense of the nation.
“Our troops are highly motivated and determined. The northeast is steadily regaining its stability and we remain fully committed to consolidating these gains until peace is fully restored,” the commander said.
Some of the community leaders in the affected areas praised the Nigerian military for its quick response and decisive actions to protect citizens.
Alhaji Bukar Modu, a community elder in Gwoza, said the increased military presence in Kirawa and neighboring communities had restored public confidence.
“Before, we heard gunshots almost every week. But since the troops arrived in large numbers, the situation changed. Now we sleep peacefully and even go to the Pulka and Gwoza markets without fear,” he said.
Furthermore, Ms Falmata Bakura, who recently returned from an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Maiduguri, described the soldiers’ demeanor as professional and reassuring.
“Their presence alone gives us hope. We can see soldiers patrolling day and night. Our children have gone back to school and now we farm without fear,” he said.
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