The Commander Corps of Engineers (CCE), Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Shamsudeen Shafaru, has commended troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), for their resilience, professionalism and commitment in the fight against insurgency in the region.
Shafaru gave the commendation during a five-day operational assessment visit to the Theatre of Operation HADIN KAI, which began on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, and ended on Sunday, February 1, 2026.
During the visit, the CCE toured the Headquarters Theatre Command, sectors, components, formations and units across the theatre. Speaking at the OPHK Headquarters on Thursday, January 29, 2026, Shafaru said the visit was aimed at assessing and enhancing the operational capacity of Nigerian Army Engineers (NAE) personnel deployed in the North East.
He praised the Theatre Commander, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, and troops of OPHK for their dedication and courage despite the harsh terrain and psychological challenges associated with asymmetric warfare. He also acknowledged the critical role played by NAE personnel in the operational successes recorded by OPHK.
The CCE explained that the visit was guided by the Chief of Army Staff’s command philosophy of transforming the Nigerian Army into a more professional, combat-ready and resilient force capable of operating effectively in a joint and multi-agency environment. He noted that OPHK was among the first theatres he visited after assuming office to ensure improved performance and professionalism of engineer troops.
Shafaru assured troops of sustained training and capacity development, while pledging the provision of modern engineering platforms and equipment to boost operational effectiveness and support efforts to eliminate terrorism in the North East.
In his remarks, the Theatre Commander, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, thanked the CCE for what he described as a timely and strategic visit, given evolving security threats. He highlighted the indispensable role of Nigerian Army Engineers in countering these threats and assured the CCE of the safety and welfare of engineer personnel deployed in the theatre.
Abubakar also appealed for sustained support through the provision of additional operational enablers to enhance mission success.
The visit featured operational briefings, exchange of souvenirs, signing of the visitors’ book, group photographs and guided tours of selected sectors and formations within the theatre.
The assessment visit concluded on Sunday, February 1, 2026.
