By Ikechi Enwereji
After more than 13 years of disruption caused by insurgency and insecurity, the deployment of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and the conduct of West African Examinations Council (WAEC) examinations have resumed in parts of Nigeria’s North-East, following improved security conditions in the region.
The Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF) North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, disclosed this while briefing Defence Correspondents during an organised media tour of the operation’s headquarters to assess ongoing counter-insurgency efforts.
Major General Abubakar said sustained military operations have created a safer environment that has enabled the return of critical national activities previously suspended due to insurgent threats.
According to him, the successful execution of military operations, including Operation Health and Care, has restored sufficient security for the resumption of the NYSC orientation scheme in affected states, which had been on hold for over a decade.
He also noted that WAEC examinations, which could not be conducted for years in areas such as Borno State’s BUSA and banking zones due to insecurity, have now resumed as a result of relative peace. He added that other economic and social activities are gradually returning to the region.
The Theatre Commander further revealed that recent military operations in Borno State and adjoining areas have led to the neutralisation of more than 40 terrorists, attributing the successes largely to timely and credible intelligence.
He said the Armed Forces are increasingly leveraging accurate intelligence to dismantle terrorist networks and bring insurgency to a decisive end.
Major General Abubakar stressed the importance of responsible reporting in contemporary warfare, describing narrative control as a critical component of counter-insurgency operations. He urged journalists to avoid reports that could inadvertently advance terrorist objectives.
Recalling past experiences, he lamented instances where major military victories were downplayed while isolated casualties were amplified, thereby distorting the overall outcome of operations.
He cited an operation in which about 25 terrorists were killed, but media reports focused primarily on the loss of a single officer, a narrative he said failed to reflect the strategic success achieved.
Despite this, the Theatre Commander commended journalists for noticeable improvements in recent engagements, particularly increased consultation with military authorities before publication and better appreciation of operational contexts.
On current battlefield operations, Major General Abubakar disclosed that troops have intensified kinetic operations across key flashpoints, including the Sambisa Forest, Timbuktu Triangle, Mandara Mountains, and Lake Chad islands.
He said sustained military pressure has forced over 16,000 insurgents to surrender, significantly degrading terrorist structures and improving safety for civilians across the North-East.
Beyond combat operations, he highlighted non-kinetic efforts such as daily military escorts for humanitarian organisations and farm patrols to protect farmers during planting and harvest seasons.
He added that Operation HADIN KAI has been expanded into four sectors, a move aimed at improving operational reach and strengthening protection for vulnerable communities across the region.
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