*Tours sectors of JTF North East OPHK Theater Command
By; SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Aliyu Lagbaja has arrived Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State on an operational tour to assess the security situation and reinvigorate ongoing counter terrorism, counter insurgency operations being conducted by troops of Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI in the North East Theatre of Operation.
The Army Chief arrived the theatre Thursday night and held closed meeting with the theater commander, sectors commanders of the theater command and other troops and senior military officers of the theater command Friday at the Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation Hadin Kai Maimalari cantonment maiduguri.
Immediately after the COAS operational closed door meeting, he told journalists that he has been briefed by the Theatre Commander, Maj Gen Golden Chibuisi on the current security situation of the North East, ongoing operational activities to clear terrorists from their enclaves in the Lake Chad region and the Mandara mountains as well as the challenges of the outfit.
The COAS however, lauded the troops for the operational successes so far achieved while observing that new trends have been noticed in the activities of the terrorists but efforts are being made to tackle their atta ka on civilians and motorists in the region
According to him, the terrorists are now reverting to abduction for ransom, pillaging for logistics and attacking civilians with Improvised Explosive Device (IED), assuring that, combat enablers will be provided to support ongoing operations to further ensure more pronounced stability in the region.
Gen. Lagbaja further said that despite the successes recorded, there are a number of challenges being confronted by the troops, which he plans to visit all the three sectors of the theater command in Monguno, Damaturu and Maiduguri commands to hear from the troops directly what their problems are, with a view to addressing them.
He also noted that all efforts are being made to improve the security situation of the region and country at large, stressing that, welfare of the troops remains his cardinal priority to motivate all the officers and soldiers to discharge their duties diligently and professionally
The COAS also commissioned a 30-family Corporal Below Quarters at Maimalari cantonment among other 7 different capital projects billed for his commissioning within the theater command headquarters Maiduguri.
Earlier, the Theater Commander, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation Hadin Kai Theater Command Maiduguri, Major Gen. Gold Chibuisi presented a souvenir to the COAS, Lt. Gen. Aliyu. T. Lagbaja.
The Brigade Commander of 47 Brigade Command, Brig. Gen. K.O. Ukado earlier, briefed the COAS on the number and nature of the different construction works executed and ready for commissioning at the Headquarters theater command.
Highlights of the event include, security briefing, commissioning of projects, presentation of souvenir and group photographs among others.
