Army Opens Two New Bases in Northeast, Steps Up Offensive Against Terrorists

Army Opens Two New Bases in Northeast, Steps Up Offensive Against Terrorists

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

The Nigerian Army has established two new forward operating bases in the Duji and Kekeno communities as part of renewed efforts to strengthen counter-terrorism operations in the Northeast.

The Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lt. Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, disclosed this at a Christmas luncheon organised in honour of wounded troops at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, Borno State. Maj.-Gen. Godwin Mutkut, the Commander of the Infantry Corps, represented him at the event.

According to the Army Chief, the newly established bases are designed to improve operational reach and response time, particularly around the Lake Chad axis and the Sambisa Forest, long considered strongholds of insurgent groups.

Gen. Shuaibu referred to the wounded soldiers as “special troops” who are still influencing ongoing military operations with their sacrifices.

He said the interaction with them was meant to boost morale and reinforce the resolve of the Armed Forces to put an end to the 16-year Boko Haram insurgency, which has devastated communities across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.

“We are here with you to renew our commitment and inject greater momentum into the fight against terrorism,” he said, noting that the military remains determined to restore lasting peace to the region.

Also speaking at the event, the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, highlighted significant gains recorded by troops in the field this year.

He revealed that between May and December 2025, soldiers recovered 254 assorted weapons from terrorists’ hideouts and rescued 366 civilians from various enclaves.

He further disclosed that troops intercepted about 300 units of Starlink communication devices, cutting off a critical channel used by insurgents to coordinate attacks.

Maj.-Gen. Abubakar added that sustained military pressure has continued to weaken terrorist groups, leading to the surrender of no fewer than 881 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, along with their families, within the year.

“These achievements on the front lines clearly show the progress being made in our ongoing operations across the three states in the theatre,” he said, reaffirming the military’s commitment to dismantling remaining terrorist networks in the region.