Army Chief Visits Borno as Tinubu Demands Rescue of Abducted Nigerians

Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, has arrived in Maiduguri, Borno State, as security agencies face renewed pressure to rescue abducted Nigerians and intensify operations against terrorist and bandit groups across the country.

Shuaibu arrived at about 11am on Saturday at the headquarters of the Northeast Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, at Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.

His visit came about 48 hours after President Bola Tinubu directed security chiefs to ensure the rescue of all abducted persons and the clearance of terrorist and bandit camps across Nigeria.

The President’s directive was disclosed by the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, after a security meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday.

Musa said Tinubu instructed security agencies to intensify efforts to locate and rescue people held captive by terrorists and bandits, stressing that criminal camps should not be allowed to operate anywhere in the country.

The President also directed the service chiefs and other security officials to ensure adequate security ahead of the elections scheduled for January 2027.

Although the Army has not officially confirmed that Shuaibu’s visit was directly linked to the presidential directive, the timing has drawn attention to the military’s ongoing operations in the North-East.

During his stay in Borno, the army chief is expected to meet theatre, field and unit commanders to discuss security operations and assess developments in the area.

Borno remains a major theatre of military operations against Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, two groups responsible for years of insurgency, attacks on communities and abductions in the North-East.

The military has continued operations aimed at weakening the groups, recovering territory and improving security for residents. However, persistent attacks and abductions remain serious challenges for security agencies and affected communities.

Tinubu’s latest directive places renewed emphasis on securing the release of captives and dismantling the camps used by terrorist and bandit groups.

The government has also tasked security agencies with creating a safe environment for Nigerians to participate in the 2027 elections without fear or intimidation.

Shuaibu’s engagements with commanders are expected to focus on the military’s operational priorities in the region, although details of the meetings and any fresh directives had not been officially released at the time of reporting.

The effectiveness of the renewed security push will depend on coordination among military formations and other security agencies, as well as their ability to locate abducted persons and prevent armed groups from maintaining operational bases.

About The Author