By Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
A United Kingdom–based media delegation from Channel 4 News has visited the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), in Maiduguri, Borno State, to assess and document Nigeria’s ongoing counter-terrorism efforts in the region.
The delegation, led by Channel 4 News Senior Producer and Team Leader, Mr Freddie Gower, said the visit was aimed at presenting to the international community the significant operational successes recorded by the Nigerian Armed Forces in the fight against terrorism.
Mr Gower explained that Channel 4 News, headquartered in London, reaches a global audience and focuses on major human-interest stories, terrorism and asymmetric warfare. He noted that the visit would provide the team with first-hand insights through engagements with military commanders and interactions with local communities affected by the conflict.
He expressed appreciation to the Theatre Commander for the warm reception accorded the delegation, describing the visit as both insightful and rewarding. According to him, the detailed operational briefings offered a comprehensive understanding of OPHK’s achievements, challenges and steady progress in counter-terrorism operations across the North East.
In his remarks, the Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, reaffirmed the Command’s mandate of restoring normalcy in the region to enable socio-economic activities to flourish, while sustaining and intensifying stabilisation operations throughout the theatre.
Major General Abubakar described the visit as a reflection of growing international interest in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism campaign and assured the delegation of OPHK’s full cooperation in facilitating their assignment. He reiterated the Command’s commitment to professionalism, transparency and responsible engagement with the media.
The Theatre Commander disclosed that OPHK has prioritised the protection of vulnerable communities through robust non-kinetic operations, which have facilitated the return of thousands of internally displaced persons to their ancestral homes. He added that improved security conditions have enabled farm patrols to enhance food security and ensured the continued protection of humanitarian agencies delivering medical care, nutrition services, vaccinations and immunisation programmes.
He further stated that the security situation in the North East has been largely contained through sustained operations that have significantly degraded terrorist enclaves. According to him, OPHK continues to leverage cooperation with international partners, including the British Military Advisory and Training Team, to consolidate operational gains.
The visit featured detailed operational briefings, the signing of the visitors’ register, the presentation of souvenirs and a group photograph to mark the occasion.
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