By DECAN
The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) has pledged to strengthen its partnership with Operation HADIN KAI through capacity building and enhanced humanitarian processes.
The Project Manager of HD, Abuja, Mr Chrisantus Lapang, made the pledge on Tuesday when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit to Headquarters Theatre Command OPHK, Maiduguri.
Lapang said the Centre was ready to partner with the Joint Task Force (North East) to build the capacity of military personnel supporting the restoration of peace in the region.
He said the visit was aimed at identifying areas of mutual interest, assessing capacity needs and exploring practical areas of partnership.
Responding, the Theatre Commander OPHK, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, welcomed the delegation and described the visit as significant to the theatre’s peacebuilding efforts.
Abubakar said capacity building support from the Centre would further enhance efforts to restore peace and socio-economic activities across the North-East.
He expressed optimism that OPHK would benefit from the Centre’s expertise, particularly in training and capacity development.
The Theatre Commander said the command would identify specific skills required by personnel to enhance their effectiveness and maximise the benefits of the partnership.
Abubakar also highlighted the strategic importance of Civil-Military Cooperation and sustained engagement with religious and traditional leaders.
He said such non-kinetic efforts had strengthened community trust, improved public confidence and helped counter narratives encouraging support for terrorist activities.
The Theatre Commander said non-kinetic operations remained an important component of OPHK’s counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism strategy.
According to him, the initiatives have contributed to stabilising affected communities, including supporting the resettlement of thousands of internally displaced persons.
He added that the initiatives had facilitated the return of vulnerable populations to their ancestral communities, farms and other sources of livelihood.
Abubakar said community engagement and sensitisation had complemented kinetic operations and contributed to disrupting terrorist logistics.
He said the efforts had also led to the recovery of arms, ammunition and other combat-enabling materials, while encouraging some terrorists and their associates to surrender.
The Theatre Commander stressed that OPHK continued to conduct operations in accordance with its Rules of Engagement and applicable International Humanitarian Law.
He said particular emphasis was placed on Civilian Harm Mitigation in the conduct of military operations.
Abubakar reaffirmed OPHK’s commitment to sustained collaboration with HD on humanitarian interventions, peace mediation and conflict-resolution initiatives.
He said the partnership would support efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability in the North-East.
The engagement was attended by the Deputy Theatre Commander OPHK, Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, Component Commanders and other senior officers.
The visit featured an interactive engagement, signing of the visitors’ register, presentation of souvenirs and a group photograph.