North East: Coalition Releases Report After Tour, Lauds CDS, Troops For Return Of Peace

*urges armed forces to sustain transformation

The Coalition for Change has applauded the Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede and troops for the return of peace in the North-East.

The group made this known in its report of its assessment tour of the geopolitical zone covering Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi and Taraba States.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday in Abuja, Executive Director, Dr Emmanuel Agabi said the purpose of the tour was to obtain a direct and independent view of the security situation, engage troops and civilian communities, and determine the extent to which peace and ordinary civil life have returned after years of insurgency.

“The Coalition is satisfied that the Nigerian Armed Forces, under the strategic leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, have substantially degraded the operational capacity of Boko Haram) and the Islamic State West Africa Province in the North East,” the report stated.

“The groups no longer hold significant territory. Their ability to mount large-scale, coordinated attacks has been severely reduced.”

It added that peace is returning to many communities that lived for years under the shadow of violence.

“Civil life—farming, trade, schooling and free movement—is steadily recovering. Isolated remnants continue to operate in remote forested and mountainous areas, particularly around parts of the Sambisa axis and the Lake Chad fringes.

“These residual elements, however, no longer constitute an existential threat to the states of the North East or to the Nigerian state.”

According to the report, the principal theatre operation remains Operation HADIN KAI, conducted by the Joint Task Force (North East) with headquarters at Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.

It notes that it integrates Nigerian Army formations, Nigerian Air Force support, specialised units and coordination with other security agencies.

Complementary efforts, including successive phases of Operation Desert Sanity, Explosive Ordnance Disposal work, Quick Reaction Force deployments and the non-kinetic Operation Safe Corridor, have all contributed to the results achieved.

The report further revealed that hundreds of weapons and tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition have been recovered, while hundreds of improvised explosive devices located and safely detonated.

“More than 7,000 displaced families have returned to their ancestral communities across Borno State, with previously abandoned settlements reoccupied in every Local Government Area,” the Coalition recorded.

“Over 3,000 Nigerians have been voluntarily repatriated from Cameroon. Trade routes and local markets have reopened.

“WAEC and NECO examinations are again being conducted in places such as Banki and Gwoza.”

The report further noted that the National Youth Service Corps orientation scheme has returned to Maiduguri after more than thirteen years.

“These developments are visible evidence of a region reclaiming its ordinary rhythm of life. In recent months troops have continued to record successes—neutralising terrorists in engagements across Borno, disrupting logistics networks in Yobe and Adamawa, clearing improvised explosive devices along critical roads, and foiling attempts on Forward Operating Bases.

“In Borno State, sustained operations around Maiduguri, Gwoza, Bama, Konduga, Kukawa, Monguno, Ngala, Askira/Uba and the Mandara Mountains have compelled large numbers of fighters to surrender and enabled the return of many displaced families.

“Markets are functioning, farming has resumed in several areas and schools are open. Interactions with troops at Maimalari and at various Forward Operating Bases indicated high morale and strong civilian cooperation.

“Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi and Taraba States also recorded further stabilisation. Residual criminal or spill-over elements are being addressed through coordinated intelligence and kinetic action, while developmental and resettlement programmes already under way offer useful models for deeper recovery elsewhere in the zone.

“Throughout the tour, officers and soldiers of various ranks expressed confidence in the strategic direction provided by the Chief of Defence Staff,” the report stated.

“They spoke of improved inter-service synergy, better intelligence fusion, the provision of critical enablers including aviation assets, and sustained political will from the Federal Government. Morale remains high despite the hardships of prolonged deployment.”

On the civilian side, the report revealed that traditional rulers, community leaders, returned displaced persons, traders and farmers expressed clear appreciation for the security gains.

“They repeatedly stressed the need for these gains to be consolidated through accelerated developmental projects—roads, schools, clinics, water, electricity, markets, agricultural support and youth empowerment—so that the conditions that once made young people vulnerable to recruitment into extremism are permanently removed.”

The Coalition specifically commended General Olufemi Oluyede for providing clear strategic direction, strengthening inter-service and inter-agency coordination, prioritising intelligence-led operations, supporting both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, and maintaining operational tempo.

“The Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, intelligence agencies, the Civilian Joint Task Force and all hybrid partners equally deserve recognition for professional and courageous execution under difficult conditions.

“The transparent reporting of operational outcomes by the Defence Headquarters has also helped to strengthen public confidence.

“Nationwide figures released under the leadership of General Oluyede confirm sustained pressure on terrorist and criminal networks across multiple theatres.

“The North East is no longer under the grip of large-scale Boko Haram or ISWAP control,” the Coalition concluded.

“The Nigerian Armed Forces have delivered decisive military gains that have broken the capacity of these groups to hold territory or sustain major campaigns. Peace and civil life are returning.”

It urged the armed forces to sustain the ongoing transformation under the Chief of Defence Staff, particularly the improvements in troop welfare, accommodation, training and the working synergy that has enabled the services to operate as a united front.