The Defence Attachés of the United Kingdom and Germany to Nigeria have reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to supporting Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and insurgency during a landmark visit to the Headquarters of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) in Maiduguri.
The British Defence Attaché, Brigadier Tom Harper, and his German counterpart, Colonel Boris Bovecamp, made the pledge on Wednesday, February 18, during their visit to the Theatre Command.
In a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, the visit underscored the deepening defence cooperation between Nigeria and its international partners in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign.
Brigadier Harper underscored the enduring relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, built on mutual respect and shared values such as the rule of law, democracy, and human rights. He commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their sustained efforts in combating terrorism in the North East, particularly through Operation HADIN KAI.
He further reiterated the UK’s commitment to strengthening capacity-building initiatives by expanding training support through the British Military Advisory and Training Team (BMATT), aimed at enhancing the operational effectiveness of Nigerian troops.
Similarly, the German Defence Attaché, Colonel Bovecamp, expressed Germany’s readiness to explore additional areas of collaboration with Nigeria. He noted that his visit was to identify opportunities for future cooperation, particularly in capacity building and potential interventions through regional frameworks to bolster operational coordination and effectiveness in the fight against terrorism.
In his remarks, the Theatre Commander of Operation HADIN KAI, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, lauded the significant contributions of both the UK and Germany to Nigeria’s counter-insurgency efforts. He acknowledged that ongoing training programmes have enhanced the skills and professionalism of troops in responding to evolving security challenges within the theatre of operations.
The Theatre Commander also identified technical expertise, equipment provision, and logistics support as key areas for future collaboration, emphasizing the mutual benefits of sustained partnerships.
The visit concluded with the signing of the visitors’ register, presentation of souvenirs, and a group photograph, symbolizing the strengthening defence ties and shared resolve to defeat terrorism in the region.
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