National
Nigeria naval chief urges joint force push on northeast insurgency
By: Adamu Aliyu Ngulde
Nigeria’s navy chief on Thursday called for closer coordination among the armed forces during a visit to the country’s conflict-hit northeast, where troops are battling Islamist insurgents.
Vice Admiral Idi Abbas made the remarks in Maiduguri while visiting the headquarters of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai.
Addressing soldiers, Abbas praised their resilience and conveyed New Year greetings, saying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had welcomed recent gains against militant groups. He urged troops to sustain pressure and uphold professionalism.
Abbas said tighter cooperation between the army, navy and air force was essential to faster responses and greater effectiveness, particularly in difficult terrain across the Lake Chad Basin.
He reaffirmed the navy’s commitment to securing the waterways of Lake Chad, saying patrols had helped reopen routes for fishing, farming and trade after years of disruption caused by violence.
The theatre commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, briefed the naval chief on ongoing operations and credited naval activity around Lake Chad’s islands with strengthening regional security.
During the trip, Abbas inspected naval facilities in Maiduguri and Baga, carried out a river patrol and met troops stationed at the Fish Dam area, where he later hosted a New Year luncheon.
He also held talks with Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, pledging continued cooperation to secure waterways and support economic recovery. Zulum urged intensified operations to maintain peace.
Senior military officers attended the visit, which included operational briefings and meetings aimed at deepening inter-service cooperation.
