Esther Oseyiomon
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Ugochukwu Unachukwu, has said sustained military operations in the North-East are restoring stability, reviving farming activities and enabling thousands of displaced residents to return to their communities.
Speaking during an interaction with journalists at the Headquarters of the 7 Division in Maiduguri, the GOC said troops under Sector 1 of Operation Hadin Kai had made significant progress in securing communities previously affected by insurgency.
According to him, areas along the Bama axis, including Darajamal, Kirawa, Abaram and Goniri, have witnessed major reconstruction and resettlement efforts following improved security conditions.
Unachukwu disclosed that more than 3,000 Nigerians were repatriated from Cameroon, while several communities that were once abandoned have now been reoccupied with military support.
He attributed the progress to continuous offensive operations and collaboration between the military, the Borno State Government and international partners.
The GOC said one of the major achievements of the military has been the protection of farmers, revealing that troops now provide daily security escorts to farming communities.
“Our troops escort farmers to their farmlands, secure them while they work and return them safely. This has greatly improved food production and economic recovery in the region,” he said.
He noted that improved farming activities were contributing to food security beyond the North-East, while helping communities rebuild livelihoods destroyed by years of insurgency.
Unachukwu, however, cautioned that the security situation remains “relative,” explaining that counter-insurgency operations cannot be measured in absolute terms due to the nature of asymmetric warfare.
He also raised concerns over propaganda and misinformation by insurgent groups, warning that distorted narratives are often used to undermine public confidence and create disaffection.
The GOC further highlighted the deployment of surveillance technology, including cameras and counter-drone systems, to strengthen military operations and improve threat detection across operational areas.
He commended Governor Babagana Zulum for supporting resettlement and development programmes aimed at restoring normalcy in affected communities.
According to him, the military will continue to consolidate on operational gains while sustaining both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to achieve lasting peace across the North-East.