By Chimezie Godfrey
The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has taken Nigeria’s counter-terrorism push to the heart of the North East theatre, urging enhanced joint military operations to decisively crush remaining terrorist elements in the region.
Vice Admiral Abbas made the call during a strategic operational visit to the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
According to a statement by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Theatre Command, Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the Naval Chief charged troops to deepen inter-service cooperation, stressing that jointness remains the backbone of modern warfare.
“Vice Admiral Abbas emphasised that seamless collaboration among the Armed Forces improves operational efficiency, accelerates response time, and ultimately strengthens national security,” Lt. Col. Uba said.
Addressing troops at the Theatre Headquarters, the CNS extended New Year greetings and lauded their courage, resilience, and sacrifices in safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty, while conveying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appreciation for the successes recorded against terrorist groups.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to maintaining a dominant presence on the Lake Chad waterways, describing maritime security as critical to sustaining peace and reviving socio-economic activities in the region.
Lt. Col. Uba disclosed that the Naval Chief noted significant progress in reopening vital waterways, allowing fishermen, farmers, traders, and transport operators to resume legitimate livelihoods.
The Theatre Commander, Operation HADIN KAI, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, while welcoming the CNS, presented a comprehensive operational briefing and acknowledged the decisive role of the Nigerian Navy in securing the Lake Chad Islands.
“Major General Abubakar noted that maritime dominance has been central to recent operational successes and regional stability,” the statement added.
The visit featured inspections of the Naval Base Annex along Monguno Road, the Naval Base Lake Chad Command in Baga, a riverine patrol of Lake Chad waterways, and a New Year luncheon with troops at Fish Dam.
Vice Admiral Abbas also paid a courtesy visit to Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, who commended the Navy’s efforts and called for sustained operations to consolidate peace.