By Chimezie Godfrey
The Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, says the Armed Forces of Nigeria are winning the war against insurgency by placing credible intelligence at the centre of military operations in the North-East.
Major General Abubakar disclosed this during a briefing with defence correspondents who visited the operation’s headquarters as part of an organised media tour to assess ongoing counter-insurgency efforts.
He said recent operations in Borno State and surrounding areas have led to the neutralisation of more than 40 terrorists, largely due to timely and accurate intelligence gathering.
“We are leveraging on credible intelligence to bring the challenges of insurgency to an end,” the Theatre Commander said.
He stressed that contemporary warfare is as much about controlling narratives as it is about battlefield engagements, urging the media to avoid reporting that inadvertently serves terrorist objectives.
Citing past experiences, Major General Abubakar lamented instances where military victories were downplayed while isolated casualties were amplified, thereby distorting the overall outcome of engagements.
He explained that in one operation where about 25 terrorists were killed, media reports focused solely on the death of an officer, a framing he said did not reflect the strategic success achieved.
The Theatre Commander, however, praised journalists for recent improvements, noting increased consultation with military authorities before publication and better appreciation of operational contexts.
On the battlefield, he disclosed that troops have commenced intensified kinetic operations across flashpoints such as Sambisa Forest, Timbuktu Triangle, Mandara Mountains, and Lake Chad islands.
He revealed that sustained military pressure has forced over 16,000 insurgents to surrender, significantly weakening terrorist structures and improving security conditions for civilians.
Beyond combat operations, Major General Abubakar highlighted non-kinetic initiatives, including daily escorts for humanitarian organisations and farm patrols to protect farmers during planting and harvest seasons.
He added that Operation Hadin Kai has expanded to four sectors, enhancing operational reach and enabling better protection of vulnerable communities across the North-East.
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Intelligence Driving Our Success Against Insurgents – Hadin Kai Commander
