The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenat-General Waidi Shaibu, on Friday called on troops to sustain offensive actions until insurgents are denied all support and sanctuary.
The Army Chief made the declaration during his maiden tour of the Theatre Command, Operation Hadin Kai, in Maiduguri, Borno State on Friday, 7 November, 2025
The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Appolonia Anele, who stated this through a statement issued on Friday, said General Shaibu urged troops to intensify operations with a view to crushing the remnants of insurgents and restoring lasting peace to the North-East.
“The Nigerian Army under my command will pursue this fight with renewed energy, clear focus, and absolute dedication to end this menace once and for all,” he said, just as he also ordered ordered them to sustain pressure on the terrorists until total victory is achieved as he assures that the Nigerian Army will leave no stone unturned in ending insurgency.
Shaibu told troops that the Nigerian Army was entering a decisive stage of the war and that failure was not an option.
“You have been training to defeat the terrorists that have been disturbing the North-East. This time, you are going to do it differently. All combat enablers have been provided. New platforms have been introduced, all to ensure that you succeed,” he added.
According to Shaibu, this phase of the operation belongs to the new generation of soldiers, insisting that they must surpass previous achievements of troops who fought in earlier national and international missions.
“Very battle-tested officers have been posted into the theatre. All combat enablers have been provided. New platforms have been introduced,” he told the troops.
The emphasis on “new platforms” suggests the deployment of advanced surveillance tools, upgraded mobility assets and precision strike capabilities
COAS reminded the soldiers that the responsibility of dealing a decisive blow to Boko Haram and ISWAP now rests on their shoulders. For the first time in years, a sense of urgency and alarm echoed through the ranks.
“Very battle-tested officers have been posted into the theatre. All combat enablers have been provided. New platforms have been introduced,” he told the troops.
Anele stated in the statement that the visit of the Army Chief is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to consolidate gains in the counterterrorism and counterinsurgency campaigns.
The COAS also paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Highness, the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Elkanemi, where he solicited continued prayers, intelligence support and cooperation from traditional institutions and citizens to complement ongoing military operations.
He assured the traditional ruler of the Army’s capability and resolve to restore enduring peace and stability across Borno State and the wider North East corridor.
Responding, the Shehu of Borno commended the Nigerian Army for its gallantry, sacrifices, and humanitarian interventions, particularly during the flooding incidents, which he noted, the humanitarian services rendered can never be forgotten by the people.
The revered emir lauded the Army’s efforts in restoring normalcy in the state, noting that no single Local Government Area in the state is presently under the control of terrorist elements.
The monarch further pledged continued support through credible intelligence sharing and moral backing to ensure the total defeat of insurgency.
Highlights of the visit included an operational briefing at the Theatre Command Headquarters, commissioning of the Heroes Transit Accommodation at Maimalari Cantonment, groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of family Corporal and Below quarters, inspection of combat platforms and visits to wounded-in-action personnel at the 7 Division Military Hospital and Services, as well as frontline troops deployed at Bama and adjoining sectors.
