By BANNERNEWS Reporter
The Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, have arrived in Maiduguri on an assessment visit following renewed security concerns in the North-East.
The ministers were received at the Air Force Base by the Theatre Commander of Operation HADIN KAI, Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, alongside the General Officer Commanding and Sector One Commander, Brig. Gen. Ugochukwu Unachukwu, and other senior military officers.
The visit marks Gen. Musa’s first official trip to Borno since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in December 2025.
Their visit comes amid heightened security challenges in the region, including a resurgence of attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province.
In recent months, troops under Operation HADIN KAI have intensified operations to curb insurgent activities. On Monday, soldiers foiled a planned abduction of about 150 travellers along the Buratai–Kamuya axis in Biu Local Government Area.
Earlier, troops repelled a coordinated attack on a Forward Operating Base in Mandaragirau village, killing at least 38 suspected ISWAP fighters during a fierce overnight battle.
During the visit, the ministers also met with the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, to commiserate with the state over recent bomb blasts linked to insurgents.
Gen. Musa condemned the attacks, stressing that violence does not represent any religion or legitimate cause. He said President Tinubu had directed the delegation to sympathise with victims and assess the situation.
He assured residents of the Federal Government’s resolve to prevent further attacks, noting that the visit would help review current strategies and strengthen security responses.
Minister Matawalle also reaffirmed government’s commitment to ending insecurity nationwide, while commending the Shehu of Borno for his leadership and support in sustaining peace in the state.
