A United Kingdom–based media delegation from Channel 4 News, led by its Senior Producer and Team Leader, Mr Freddie Gower, has visited the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), in Maiduguri, Borno State.
In his remarks, Mr Freddie Gower said the purpose of his team’s visit to Nigeria was to present to the international community, the significant successes recorded by the Nigerian Armed Forces in the fight against terrorism.
He explained that Channel 4 News, headquartered in London, reaches a global audience and focuses on major stories of human interest, terrorism, and asymmetric warfare. According to him, the visit would enable the delegation to gain first-hand insights through engagements with commanders and local communities.
Mr Gower expressed appreciation to the Theatre Commander for the reception accorded the delegation and described the visit as insightful and rewarding. He commended the detailed operational briefings received, noting that they provided a comprehensive understanding of OPHK’s achievements, challenges, and progress in counter-terrorism operations.
In his remarks, the Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, reaffirmed the Command’s mandate of facilitating the restoration of normalcy across the North East to enable socio-economic activities to thrive, while sustaining and intensifying stabilisation operations throughout the theatre.
Major General Abubakar described the visit as a demonstration of growing international interest in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts and assured the delegation of OPHK’s full cooperation in facilitating their assignment. He reiterated the Command’s commitment to professionalism, transparency, and responsible media engagement.
The Theatre Commander stated that OPHK has deliberately prioritised the protection of vulnerable communities through robust non-kinetic operations, leading to the return of thousands of internally displaced persons to their ancestral homes. He noted that improved security conditions have supported farm patrols to boost food security and ensured sustained protection for humanitarian agencies providing medical care, nutrition services, vaccinations, and immunisation programmes.
He further said that the security situation in the North East has been largely contained, particularly with the ongoing operations, which has significantly degraded terrorist enclaves.
According to him, OPHK continues to leverage on cooperation with international partners, including the British Military Advisory and Training Team.The visit featured detailed operational briefings, signing of the visitors’ register, presentation of souvenirs, and a group photograph.
