The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Theatre Command to strengthening collaboration with humanitarian partners operating in the North East.
Abubakar stated this on Thursday during separate courtesy visits by delegations from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Spain to the OPHK Headquarters in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Receiving the Head of ICRC Sub-Delegation in Maiduguri, Diana Japaridze, and her team, the Theatre Commander commended the organisation for its sustained support to victims of armed conflict in the region. He highlighted the ICRC’s contributions in capacity building, humanitarian assistance and victim support, describing the organisation as an essential partner in conflict settings.
He assured that OPHK would continue to deepen the cordial relationship with the ICRC and explore new avenues for cooperation.
Japaridze, in her remarks, thanked the Theatre Command for its openness and support. She said the visit was aimed at assessing the security situation in the North East and reaffirming the ICRC’s commitment to humanitarian operations in the region. She explained that the organisation’s work focuses on ensuring access to aid and supporting family reunification for persons affected or separated by conflict.
The ICRC delegation included Deputy Protection Coordinator, Mr. Kouame Noel, and Armed Forces and Security Adviser, Lt.-Col. Babatunde Lawal (rtd.). The visit featured signing of the visitors’ book, exchange of souvenirs and a group photograph.
In a separate visit, the Coordinator of MSF Spain, Mr. Omer Sarikaya, told the Theatre Commander that MSF remained committed to delivering emergency, life-saving medical support to vulnerable populations across the North East. He noted the organisation’s ongoing collaboration with the Borno State Ministry of Health and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), particularly in maternal healthcare, infection prevention, cholera response, nutrition and sanitation.
Sarikaya highlighted challenges related to humanitarian access and stressed the need for continued military cooperation.
Responding, Abubakar praised MSF’s interventions, describing the organisation as a dependable partner in stabilisation efforts. He said OPHK’s mandate was to restore normalcy and support socio-economic recovery, which could only be achieved through strong collaboration with humanitarian actors.
He assured MSF of the Theatre Command’s continued support.
The visits were attended by component commanders, principal staff officers and other senior OPHK officers. Highlights included interactive sessions, signing of the visitors’ book, presentation of souvenirs and group photographs.
The engagements underscore ongoing civil–military cooperation and humanitarian coordination in counterterrorism and stabilisation efforts across the North East.
