Naval Chief Visits North-East Theatre, Calls for Stronger Joint Operations

By Zainab Uzomah

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has called for deeper cooperation among Nigeria’s armed services during a visit to the headquarters of Operation Hadin Kai in Maiduguri, Borno State.

In a statement signed by the Media Information Officer; Headquarters Theatre Command Joint Task Force (North East)Operation HADIN KAI- Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, The visit on Thursday, 1 January, formed part of efforts to reinforce coordination in the fight against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants in the North-East.

Addressing troops, Vice Admiral Abbas conveyed New Year greetings and praised personnel for what he described as their courage and sustained commitment to national security. He also relayed President Bola Tinubu’s appreciation for recent operational gains and urged them to maintain the momentum.

The naval chief said stronger joint operations were essential for faster responses to threats and more efficient use of resources. He reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to keeping a “robust presence” on the Lake Chad waterways to support security and economic recovery in the region.

He added that improved security on the waterways had helped restore economic activities, allowing fishermen, farmers and traders to return to their livelihoods. Sustained collaboration with other services, he said, remained vital to protecting local communities.

Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, briefed the CNS on current operations and praised the Navy’s role in maintaining freedom of movement around the Lake Chad islands. Maritime dominance, he said, had been central to recent successes.

Vice Admiral Abbas also inspected naval facilities at the Naval Base Annex on the Monguno road before travelling to the Lake Chad Command in Baga, where he met troops at Fish Dam. He later joined a riverine patrol to assess progress in clearing the waterways. The visit concluded with a New Year luncheon with personnel.

He later paid a courtesy call on the governor of Borno State, Babagana Umara Zulum, thanking him for his support. Governor Zulum commended the Navy’s efforts and urged continued vigilance to keep the region stable.

The visit brought together senior military officers, including the Deputy Theatre Commander, the General Officer Commanding 7 Division, component commanders and principal staff officers, and featured operational briefings and interactive sessions.