The Theatre Commander of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, has reaffirmed the military’s commitment to deepening humanitarian partnerships that remain crucial to stabilising the North East.
He gave the assurance on Thursday during back-to-back courtesy visits by delegations from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Spain at the OPHK Headquarters in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Speaking during the engagement with the ICRC team led by the Head of Sub-delegation in Maiduguri, Diana Japaridze, Major General Abubakar praised the organisation’s “unwavering support” in conflict-affected communities.
He highlighted the ICRC’s essential work in victim support, humanitarian assistance and capacity building.
“We will continue to sustain and deepen the cordial relationship between OPHK and the ICRC while exploring more opportunities for cooperation,” he said.
Japaridze, in her remarks, commended the openness of the Theatre Command and noted that her visit aimed to assess the security landscape and reaffirm ICRC’s continued presence in the region. She emphasised the organisation’s role in ensuring access to humanitarian aid and facilitating family reunification for persons separated by conflict.
The ICRC delegation included Deputy Protection Coordinator Mr. Kouame Noel and the Armed Forces and Security Adviser, Lt. Col. Babatunde Lawal (Rtd.). The visit featured a signing of the visitors’ book, exchange of souvenirs and group photographs.
In a separate meeting, Major General Abubakar received the Coordinator of MSF Spain, Mr. Omer Sarikaya, who commended the Theatre Command for supporting MSF’s emergency and life-saving interventions across the North East. Sarikaya highlighted MSF’s work in maternal care, infection prevention, cholera response, nutrition and sanitation, noting ongoing challenges related to humanitarian access.
Responding, the Theatre Commander described MSF as “a reliable partner in the region’s stabilization efforts,” adding that restoring normalcy and enabling socio-economic recovery require sustained collaboration with humanitarian actors.
“I assure you of our continued support to ensure you achieve your mission successfully,” Major General Abubakar stated.
The visits were attended by Component Commanders, Principal Staff Officers and other senior officers of OPHK, underscoring the strong civil–military cooperation powering counterterrorism and stabilization operations in the region.