By Uriel I hotu
The Honourable Minister of Defence, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, on Friday, April 25, 2025, visited frontline troops in the North East to assess the security situation and interact with key stakeholders.
In a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the visit included a stop at the Borno State Government House, where Alhaji Badaru explained that the purpose of their mission was to evaluate ongoing security operations and engage in discussions with the state government on the way forward.
Badaru conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to addressing security challenges in Borno State and across the country, assuring the people of the government’s full support.
Responding, Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, expressed gratitude to the Defence Ministers and the CDS for their visit. He pledged the state government’s continued support for the Federal Government and the Armed Forces of Nigeria in efforts to restore lasting peace. Governor Zulum appealed for increased support to Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) through the provision of additional manpower and operational platforms. He also highlighted the strategic importance of clearing Lake Chad to advance the objectives of the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Defence team also visited the Headquarters of Theatre Command OPHK, where they received an operational briefing from the outgoing Theatre Commander, Major General Waidi Shaibu. The briefing covered the Theatre’s achievements, ongoing operations, and prevailing challenges.
Speaking on behalf of the ministers, General Musa commended the officers and soldiers of OPHK for their dedication and sacrifices, urging them to intensify efforts to overcome the lingering security threats in the region.
In a related engagement, the Honourable Minister of Defence addressed troops of 212 Battalion in Maiduguri, delivering President Tinubu’s message of appreciation. He reassured the troops of the administration’s commitment to ensuring that all their operational needs would be adequately met.
