Theatre Commander, Operation HADIN KAI Reaffirms Commitment to Humanitarian Partnership
…As ICRC, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Delegations Visit
The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, has restated the Command’s unwavering commitment to strengthening collaboration with humanitarian partners operating in the North East. This, he emphasized, aligns with the mandate of restoring peace and supporting socio-economic recovery across the region.
According to a statement signed by the Media Information Officer, Lt Col Sani Uba, Major General Abubakar gave the assurance on Thursday, 13 November 2025, while receiving delegations from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Spain during separate courtesy visits to Headquarters Theatre Command, Maiduguri.
Welcoming the Head of the ICRC Sub-delegation in Maiduguri, Diana Japaridze, and her team, the Theatre Commander commended the organization for its steadfast support in delivering critical humanitarian services to victims of armed conflict. He acknowledged the ICRC’s vital contributions to capacity building, victim support, and emergency humanitarian assistance.
“We will continue to sustain and deepen the cordial relationship that exists between the Theatre Command and the ICRC, and also explore new opportunities for cooperation,” Major General Abubakar assured.
In her remarks, Japaridze expressed appreciation for the Theatre Command’s openness and cooperation. She noted that the visit was aimed at assessing the broader security landscape in the North East and reaffirming the ICRC’s continued presence in the region. She explained that the organization remains committed to ensuring that persons affected or separated by conflict have access to essential humanitarian aid and family reunification services.
The ICRC delegation included the Deputy Protection Coordinator, Mr. Kouame Noel, and the Armed Forces and Security Adviser, Lt Col Babatunde Lawal (rtd). The visit featured the signing of the visitors’ book, exchange of souvenirs, and a group photograph.
In a related development, Major General Abubakar also received the Coordinator of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Spain, Mr. Omer Sarikaya, and his team. The visit focused on strengthening cooperation in the delivery of medical services to vulnerable populations across the region.
Mr. Sarikaya expressed gratitude to the Theatre Command for its sustained support, noting that MSF continues to provide emergency, life-saving medical care in collaboration with the Borno State Ministry of Health and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH). He highlighted the organization’s ongoing work in maternal healthcare, infection prevention, cholera response, nutrition, sanitation, and other critical areas, as well as the logistical challenges that often constrain humanitarian access.
Responding, Major General Abubakar praised MSF’s humanitarian contributions and described the organization as an indispensable partner in stabilization efforts.
“Our mandate in Operation HADIN KAI is to facilitate the restoration of normalcy in the North East to enable socio-economic activities to thrive, and this can only be achieved through strong collaboration with humanitarian actors such as MSF. I assure you of our continued support toward the successful execution of your mission,” he said.
Both visits, attended by Component Commanders, Principal Staff Officers, and other senior officers of Headquarters OPHK, underscored the robust civil–military cooperation and coordinated humanitarian efforts supporting counterterrorism and stabilization operations across the North East.
Highlights of the engagements included interactive sessions, signing of the visitors’ book, exchange of souvenirs, and group photographs.
