Terrorists Are Fighting Nigeria, Not Just the Military – Operation Hadin Kai Commander.

The fight against terrorism in Nigeria’s Northeast is not just a battle between the armed forces and insurgents, but a war against the entire nation, according to Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai. Speaking to defence correspondents during a media tour in Maiduguri, Borno State, the commander stressed that Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists are targeting all Nigerians, not just the military.

Maj.-Gen. Abubakar explained that the ongoing conflict is a complex, asymmetric war, which means the enemy uses unpredictable tactics and blends in with local communities, making the fight much harder. He called on the media and the public to see terrorism as a national crisis, not just a problem for the armed forces.

He said;

“These are also Nigerians, and it is not the terrorists against the armed forces. It is the terrorists against Nigeria as a nation. So once we begin to understand this and have a common front, we will be able to make very tangible progress.”

The commander praised the sacrifices made by Nigerian troops, who operate under harsh weather conditions and in dangerous environments to protect communities affected by insurgency. He urged Nigerians to appreciate the efforts of the military, saying that their work is essential for the safety and stability of the country.

Maj.-Gen. Abubakar also assured that the military is committed to upholding human rights in all its operations. He said that troops are trained to respect international laws, especially when dealing with civilians, women, and children who may be caught up in conflict zones.

Brig.-Gen. Adamu Ibrahim, Chief of Staff of Operation Hadin Kai, addressed questions about why female terrorists are not being killed or prosecuted. He explained that Nigeria respects international laws of armed conflict, which protect women and children who are not directly involved in fighting.

He said;

“As long as their wife and children do not take up arms and engage in direct combat operations in this, then they are not Boko Haram combatants. The Nigerian military fully enforces and upholds human rights laws, and as such, we would not violate the laws against Boko Haram by engaging their families.”

Maj. Ademola Owolana, who gave an overview of Operation Hadin Kai’s activities, said that the Joint Task Force has been working hard to stop the spread of insurgency across the Northeast. He mentioned that the troops face many challenges, including drone attacks by terrorists, sabotage by fifth columnists (people who secretly help the enemy), and the planting of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Despite these challenges, Owolana said that the troops have shown great resilience and have achieved many successes. For example, during a recent attack on Kukawa, the military, with air support, was able to defeat the terrorists, destroying two motorcycles and neutralizing 28 insurgents.

He also warned that terrorists continue to attack isolated communities to steal supplies, recruit fighters, and target important people. “This threat profile suggests desperation of JAS and ISWAP leaders to reassess themselves, demonstrate strength, recruit more fighters, and amass logistics interpolation for future offensives across the theatre,” Owolana explained.

The message from the military is clear: the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP is a fight for the future of Nigeria. The commanders urged all Nigerians to stand united, support the troops, and recognize that the terrorists are attacking the nation as a whole, not just the armed forces.

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