On a brisk November morning in Maiduguri, Borno State, the headquarters of Nigeria’s Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Hadin Kai buzzed with activity. Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, the newly appointed Chief of Army Staff (COAS), was in town for an operational assessment—a visit that would underscore both the recent strides and the enduring dangers facing the Nigerian military in its fight against terrorism in the country’s troubled North-East.
According to statements released by the JTF’s information officer and widely reported by outlets such as Daily Post and PRNigeria, General Shaibu’s visit on November 20, 2025, was no ordinary inspection. The North-East remains a theater of persistent conflict, with Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) continuing to pose significant threats. Shaibu’s message to his troops was clear: recent successes against insurgents are encouraging, but there’s no room for complacency.
“The Chief of Army Staff has charged troops of Operation Hadin Kai to sustain vigilance, avoid complacency, and maintain an aggressive posture in ongoing operations against terrorists in the North-East,” read a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the JTF’s Media Information Officer. It was a call that echoed throughout the barracks, a reminder that the fight is far from over.
General Shaibu’s visit, as reported by PRNigeria, was designed to do more than just boost morale. The COAS met with theatre commanders, including Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, to review the security situation, evaluate the effectiveness of current operations, and strengthen cooperation with other security agencies. The focus was on “stronger coordination and improved intelligence gathering”—a theme that has become increasingly important as insurgents adapt their tactics.
“Stay vigilant, remain resolute, and maintain maximum situational awareness,” Shaibu told the assembled personnel. He praised their courage and resilience in confronting Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents, but he also stressed the need for “continuous operational aggressiveness to deny terrorists the freedom of movement or action within the theatre of operations.”
The Army chief’s visit came at a time of both hope and heartbreak for Nigeria’s military. Just days earlier, on November 15, 2025, news broke of the death of Brigadier General Musa Uba, who was killed in an ISWAP ambush near Wajiroko town in Borno State. As reported by BBC News, ISWAP announced the killing on their Telegram page, confirming that General Uba was captured and killed during the attack—an incident that also claimed the lives of two soldiers and two vigilantes. The Nigerian Army later confirmed the loss, and President Bola Tinubu sent condolences to the families of those who died.
General Uba was the commander of the 25 Brigade of the Nigerian Army. His death, the second highest-ranking officer killed by jihadist groups since 2021, reignited conversations across the country about the ongoing risks faced by senior military personnel. Despite years of counter-terrorism operations, the ability of groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP to strike at the heart of the military’s leadership remains a sobering reality.
As BBC News highlighted, the North-East—particularly Borno State—has been the epicenter of Nigeria’s insurgency crisis for over a decade. Areas such as Gudumbari, Marte, and Abadam local government areas have remained under the control of jihadists for nearly six years, with civilians and soldiers alike paying a high price. Recent attacks on farmers and fishermen in Dumba town further illustrate the persistent threat posed by these groups.
General Uba’s death is part of a grim list of senior officers who have fallen in the line of duty. Since 2018, several high-ranking figures have been killed, including Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu in 2021, Colonel Dahiru Chiroma Bako in 2020, Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Abu Ali in 2016, and Lieutenant Colonel Ibrahim Sakaba in 2018. Each loss has been met with national mourning and renewed determination, but also with questions about how best to adapt to an enemy that continues to evolve.
During his assessment in Maiduguri, General Shaibu acknowledged these challenges. He met with Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, who briefed him on ongoing activities, emerging threats, and the operational difficulties faced by troops on the frontline. According to Daily Post, Shaibu emphasized the need for “continued operational aggressiveness to deny terrorists freedom of action across the theatre,” and called for even closer coordination between military and intelligence agencies.
The visit was also marked by gestures of solidarity from civilian leadership. Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, paid a courtesy call to the COAS, congratulating him on his appointment as the 25th Chief of Army Staff and expressing confidence in his ability to build on past achievements. “He noted that General Shaibu, having held all major operational command appointments in the theatre, had made significant contributions to the drastic reduction of insurgency in the region,” according to a statement cited by Channels TV.
Governor Zulum reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the government and people of Borno State to supporting the military and other security stakeholders. He urged troops not to be discouraged by recent isolated attacks, but to remain focused and determined. “He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to collaboration with the military and other security stakeholders,” the statement read.
Responding to the governor’s remarks, General Shaibu acknowledged the state’s support and assured that the Nigerian Army “remains committed to intensifying efforts to restore enduring peace and normalcy to Borno State and the entire North-East.” The COAS was accompanied on his visit by several senior officers from Army Headquarters, a visible sign of the high-level attention being paid to the region’s security.
The events of November 2025 serve as a stark reminder: while significant progress has been made in rolling back the influence of Boko Haram and ISWAP, the fight is far from over. The loss of officers like Brigadier General Uba underscores the risks that remain, and the need for constant vigilance, innovation, and cooperation at every level. As Nigeria’s military leadership doubles down on its commitment, the hope is that one day soon, peace and security will return to the North-East, bringing relief to a region that has endured far too much.
