Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, Chief of the Naval Staff, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s resolve to eliminate terrorist elements operating around the Lake Chad axis, as he spent New Year’s Day 2026 with troops deployed in the North-East.
The naval chief visited the headquarters of Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai in Maiduguri, where the Theatre Commander, Major General A.E. Abubakar, briefed him on recent operational gains recorded by the joint forces.
According to the briefing, coordinated land, maritime and air operations have significantly degraded the fighting capacity of terrorist groups in the region, forcing them to retreat under sustained pressure. Vice Admiral Abbas commended the troops for their resilience and commitment, assuring them that challenges affecting operations would be promptly addressed.
From Maiduguri, the Chief of the Naval Staff proceeded to the Naval Base Lake Chad in Baga, where he was received by the Base Commander, Commodore Peter Gambo Yilme.
During the visit, Vice Admiral Abbas embarked on a boat patrol across waterways that were recently cleared of terrorist threats, a development that has restored navigation routes and raised hopes of renewed economic activities in affected communities.
He later shared a New Year’s meal with officers and men of the naval base as well as personnel of the co-located 196 Amphibious Battalion, praising their sacrifices and steadfastness in securing Nigeria’s northeastern borders.
The visit was described as a major morale booster for troops confronting Boko Haram and ISWAP elements in the area. Accompanied by the Chief of Operations, Rear Admiral M.B. Katagum, and the Chief of Logistics, Rear Admiral S.H. Abdullahi, the naval chief reiterated the Navy’s commitment to sustained, joint operations with sister services to deny terrorists access to Lake Chad’s waterways.
“Terrorists will find no safe haven on our waters,” Vice Admiral Abbas declared, stressing his vision of a mobile, agile and professional naval force capable of defending Nigeria’s maritime environment and territorial integrity.
The visit underscored the Navy’s determination to maintain pressure on criminal groups and consolidate recent security gains in the Lake Chad region.
