Operation HADIN KAI, UN OCHA Strengthen Partnership on Civilian Protection in North East

By Harriet Tornguvan 

The Headquarters of Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, in partnership with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), has convened a Humanitarian/Civil-Military Coordination Roundtable to strengthen the protection of civilians and improve humanitarian assistance in the North East.

The roundtable, held on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at the OPHK headquarters in Maiduguri, brought together representatives of humanitarian organisations, the Borno State Government and other relevant stakeholders to deliberate on security and humanitarian challenges affecting communities in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

The engagement was co-chaired by the Theatre Commander, Operation HADIN KAI, Major General AE Abubakar, and the Deputy Head of Office, UN OCHA, North East Nigeria, Patricia Mucheche.

Participants received briefings on the humanitarian activities and stabilisation efforts of Operation HADIN KAI, followed by discussions on improving coordination, facilitating humanitarian access and strengthening assistance to communities affected by armed conflict.

Speaking at the event, Major General Abubakar described the roundtable as timely and important to strengthening constructive dialogue between the military and humanitarian community.

He said the meeting, coming four years after the last Humanitarian Roundtable, was in line with the directive of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, to reinforce the Nigerian Army's commitment to humanitarian support.

The Theatre Commander stressed that while military operations remained essential to degrading the residual capabilities of terrorist groups, humanitarian efforts were equally critical to the protection of civilians, safe return of displaced persons and restoration of socio-economic activities.

He noted that such objectives could not be achieved through military action alone, stressing the need for stronger collaboration among security agencies, humanitarian organisations, government institutions and affected communities.

Major General Abubakar identified the security of major humanitarian supply routes, protection of civilians and returning internally displaced persons, safeguarding farmers and livelihoods, addressing misconduct and improving relations between the Armed Forces and humanitarian partners as priority areas for enhanced coordination.

He also acknowledged challenges confronting humanitarian operations, including improvised explosive device threats, the movement of large volumes of cash, access restrictions, security of humanitarian personnel and assets, as well as funding constraints.

He called for open, respectful and constructive dialogue among stakeholders to address the challenges and ensure that humanitarian assistance reached vulnerable populations safely and efficiently.

The Theatre Commander expressed appreciation to UN OCHA, humanitarian partners and the International Committee of the Red Cross for their continued support to communities affected by the insurgency and for capacity-building initiatives for Operation HADIN KAI personnel.

Earlier, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, had reaffirmed the Nigerian Army's commitment to providing the security required for the safe movement of humanitarian personnel, relief materials and critical supplies, particularly along key operational corridors.

The COAS stressed that safe humanitarian access was central to civilian protection, stabilisation and the safe and dignified return of displaced persons to their communities.

He called for innovative force protection measures, effective convoy escort arrangements and stronger coordination between military and humanitarian organisations, while urging UN OCHA to strengthen forward logistics planning to sustain humanitarian operations despite funding challenges.

In her remarks, the Deputy Head of Office of UN OCHA in the North East, Patricia Mucheche, acknowledged the importance of collaboration with the military in ensuring the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities.

Mucheche described the roundtable as an important platform for practical discussions between military and humanitarian actors, particularly on improving programme implementation and strengthening humanitarian response.

She called for enhanced patrols along major supply routes and raised concerns over unexploded ordnance, particularly in areas where internally displaced persons have been relocated.

She stressed that the protection of civilians must remain at the centre of humanitarian operations in the region.

In his closing remarks, the Deputy Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Air Vice Marshal OF Akinboyewa, said the issues discussed at the roundtable had direct implications for the ability of affected communities to return home, pursue livelihoods and rebuild their lives safely.

He said sustained military operations continued to degrade the capabilities of JAS and ISWAP and create greater security space for humanitarian action, stabilisation and the restoration of normal life.

Akinboyewa maintained that the ultimate measure of military success was the extent to which citizens could live, move and pursue their livelihoods without fear.

He reaffirmed Operation HADIN KAI's commitment to securing critical routes and population centres, protecting civilian livelihoods, strengthening oversight and discipline among hybrid forces, and maintaining a predictable coordination framework with humanitarian partners.

He assured participants that the concerns and recommendations raised during the roundtable would be carefully considered and followed through.

According to him, the collective objective remained to move the North East from emergency assistance towards recovery, resilience and sustainable development through deeper cooperation between the military and humanitarian community.

He added that Operation HADIN KAI would continue to strengthen its partnership with humanitarian actors towards restoring stability, dignity and normalcy across the North East.