The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Army to eradicate the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State and the broader North-East region.
Oluyede made this pledge during a courtesy visit to the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, on Friday in Maiduguri. He expressed gratitude to the traditional ruler for his steadfast support of the military and his efforts in rallying community cooperation against insurgency.
“Your Highness, I am here to pay homage to you as our father and to thank you for the role you have played in supporting the military over the years,” Oluyede said. He emphasized that the fight against insurgency requires a collective approach, adding that a solely kinetic strategy would not suffice.
“We cannot achieve peace in Borno without the support of our fathers and the good people of the state. All hands must be on deck to end this menace and restore economic activities and normalcy in the region,” he added.
Reflecting on Borno’s past as a peaceful hub he often visited in his youth, Oluyede stressed the urgency of addressing insecurity to reclaim the state’s reputation for peace and prosperity. He assured that Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), the military’s flagship counterinsurgency operation in the region, would be intensified to ensure lasting peace.
Responding, the Shehu of Borno commended the Nigerian Army for its sacrifices and resilience in the ongoing fight against terrorism. He pledged the continuous support of traditional institutions in uniting and mobilizing residents to aid the military’s efforts.
Highlighting the Kanem Borno dynasty’s legacy of over 1,500 years, El-Kanemi underlined the region’s historical reputation for peace and hospitality, which he noted has been disrupted by external influences, including the Boko Haram insurgency.
“Borno’s history demonstrates the strength and resilience of its people in overcoming adversity,” El-Kanemi said, urging unity, vigilance, and collective action to address lingering security challenges.