Odita Sunday 
The Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, has said that credible intelligence is driving the Nigerian military’s renewed momentum against insurgents in the North-East.
Abubakar spoke during a media briefing with defence correspondents at the headquarters of Operation Hadin Kai, where he outlined recent operational breakthroughs recorded by troops.
According to him, intelligence-led operations have resulted in the killing of over 40 terrorists in Borno State alone, as military units strike insurgent hideouts with greater precision.
“We are leveraging on credible intelligence to bring the challenges of insurgency to an end,” the Theatre Commander said.
He noted that the changing nature of warfare demands closer collaboration between the military and the media, particularly in shaping public perception and countering extremist propaganda.
Abubakar criticised reporting styles that focus narrowly on military casualties without acknowledging broader operational successes, warning that such narratives could embolden terrorist groups.
He cited a previous engagement where approximately 25 terrorists were neutralised, but media attention centred only on the death of an officer, thereby obscuring the outcome of the battle.
The Theatre Commander commended defence correspondents for improved engagement, noting that many journalists now verify information directly with theatre headquarters before publication.
On operations, he revealed that troops have received orders to sustain aggressive offensives in Sambisa Forest, Timbuktu Triangle, Mandara Mountains and the Lake Chad axis.
He disclosed that military pressure has compelled more than 16,000 insurgents to surrender, a development he said reflects the effectiveness of sustained operations.
Abubakar also highlighted non-combat efforts, including armed escorts for humanitarian agencies, protection of farmers, and patrols of vulnerable communities.
He added that the creation of a fourth operational sector has strengthened command and control, enabling better coordination across the theatre.
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