Operation HADIN KAI Deepens Collaboration With Humanitarian Agencies as ICRC, MSF Visit Theatre
The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, has reaffirmed the military’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with humanitarian organizations working across the North East.
He gave the assurance on Thursday, 13 November 2025, while receiving separate delegations from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Spain at the Headquarters Theatre Command in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Major General Abubakar commended the ICRC for its sustained support to communities affected by armed conflict, describing the organisation as a crucial partner in capacity building, victim support, and humanitarian assistance.
“We will continue to sustain and deepen the cordial relationship that exists between the Theatre Command and the ICRC, and also explore more opportunities for cooperation,” he said.
Earlier, the Head of the ICRC Sub-delegation in Maiduguri, Diana Japaridze, expressed appreciation for the cooperation extended by the Theatre Command. She noted that the visit was aimed at assessing the security situation in the North East and reaffirming the ICRC’s active presence in the region.
According to her, the ICRC remains committed to ensuring that persons affected or separated by conflict have access to humanitarian aid and family-reunification services.
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Members of the ICRC team included the Deputy Protection Coordinator, Kouame Noel, and the Armed Forces and Security Adviser, Lieutenant Colonel Babatunde Lawal (rtd.). The visit featured the signing of the visitors’ book, exchange of souvenirs, and a group photograph.
In a similar engagement, the Theatre Commander also hosted the Coordinator of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Spain, Omer Sarikaya, and his team, who visited to reinforce collaboration in medical service delivery for vulnerable populations in the region.
Sarikaya applauded the support provided by the Theatre Command, noting that MSF continues to deliver emergency and life-saving medical services in partnership with the Borno State Ministry of Health and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH). He highlighted MSF’s interventions in maternal healthcare, infection prevention, cholera response, nutrition, and sanitation, while pointing out the logistical challenges encountered during humanitarian access.
Responding, Major General Abubakar praised MSF’s contributions to stabilization efforts, describing the organisation as a reliable partner.
“Our mandate in Operation HADIN KAI is to facilitate the restoration of normalcy in the North East to enable socio-economic activities to thrive, and this can only be achieved through strong collaboration with humanitarian actors such as MSF,” he said, assuring the organisation of continued military support.
The visits were attended by Component Commanders, Principal Staff Officers, and other senior officers of Headquarters OPHK, underscoring the deepening civil–military cooperation and humanitarian coordination in ongoing counterterrorism and stabilization operations across the North East.
Highlights of the engagements included interactive sessions, signing of visitors’ books, presentation of souvenirs, and group photographs.
By PRNigeria
