The Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, has offered a candid perspective on Nigeria’s enduring struggle against insurgent groups Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), noting that the fight extends beyond conventional warfare and has become a deeply rooted battle against the Nigerian state itself.
Speaking in a recent engagement with security stakeholders, Major General Abubakar explained that the complexity of the conflict lies not just in the armed confrontations but in the ideological, psychological, and socio-economic dimensions that fuel these extremist groups. According to the top military officer, defeating Boko Haram and ISWAP cannot be achieved solely through military might, as the insurgency has embedded itself within vulnerable communities, exploiting poverty, disillusionment, and weak governance structures.
He described the insurgents as adapting swiftly to changing military tactics, leveraging both local support and international networks to sustain their operations in Nigeria’s North-East region and across parts of the Lake Chad Basin. He emphasized that the insurgency has evolved into an asymmetric war, where the enemy blends with civilian populations, making it increasingly difficult to isolate and neutralize them without collateral damage.
“This is not just a war against soldiers; it is a war against Nigeria itself,” Abubakar stressed, noting that the ideological indoctrination propagated by the terror groups continues to influence young people in vulnerable communities. He also highlighted that ISWAP, in particular, has been strategic in presenting itself as an alternative government in certain areas, offering basic services, collecting taxes, and enforcing its brand of justice to win local allegiance.
While commending the efforts of Nigerian troops and allied forces, Major General Abubakar underscored the need for a more holistic approach to the crisis. He called for sustained intelligence gathering, community engagement, de-radicalisation initiatives, and socio-economic development in affected regions to cut off the supply chains and recruitment base of the insurgents.
The commander further reiterated that Operation Hadin Kai remains resolute in its mandate to secure the North-East, but called on all Nigerians to view the counter-insurgency effort as a collective responsibility. He urged civilians to support the military through timely information sharing, vigilance, and rejecting the narratives of extremism.
As the conflict persists, his remarks add to growing calls for a broader national strategy that combines military strength with non-kinetic solutions in order to restore lasting peace and stability in the region.
