Five senior officers serving under Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have been elevated to the rank of brigadier general during a decoration ceremony held in Maiduguri.
The development was announced in a statement issued on 10 December 2025 by Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI.
The promoted officers are Ikechukwu Ogundele, Abubakar Sale, Suleiman Muhammed, Abdullafeef Idris and Yusuf Kawu.
The Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, performed the decoration at the Theatre Command Officers’ Mess, Maimalari Cantonment, praising the officers’ “hard work, competence and unwavering commitment to service.”
He described OPHK as the “flagship theatre of the Nigerian Armed Forces”, noting that their elevation was deliberate and well-deserved.
General Abubakar thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for approving the promotions, calling the officers “the engine room of OPHK”.
He urged them to stay loyal to the constitution, lead by example and maintain the highest professional standards.
In a goodwill message, Deputy Theatre Commander Air Vice Marshal Essen Efanga said the officers were moving into strategic leadership roles and must redouble their efforts to strengthen national security.
Speaking on behalf of the newly promoted officers, Brigadier General Ikechukwu Ogundele expressed appreciation to the COAS, theatre leadership and their families, pledging continued dedication to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty.
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