Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), hosted high-level delegations from the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UN DSS) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), reinforcing civil–military cooperation aimed at enhancing humanitarian access, regional security, and economic stability in Borno State.
The UN DSS delegation was led by the Team Leader and Deputy Director, Department of Field Operations, Mrs Florence Paussin, who visited from New York to deepen collaboration with OPHK on the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance to vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities across the North East.
Mrs Paussin commended OPHK for its professionalism and sustained efforts to protect civilians and humanitarian workers. She explained that the visit was intended to assess the prevailing security environment and strengthen cooperation, particularly in securing military escorts to enable UN personnel access to communities in need. She reaffirmed UN DSS’ commitment to supporting OPHK in the discharge of its mandate.
Welcoming the delegation, the Theatre Commander Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, acknowledged the critical role of UN DSS in facilitating humanitarian operations. He noted that OPHK conducts both kinetic and non-kinetic operations, with humanitarian support remaining a core priority. While the security situation has largely been contained, he emphasized that vigilance remains essential at all levels and assured UN DSS of continued security support across the theatre.
In a separate engagement, the Team Leader and Head of Operations, ICRC, Mr Yanich Buvhili, led a delegation to OPHK, calling for sustained collaboration to ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian and medical services to internally displaced persons and other vulnerable populations in Borno State.
Mr Buvhili praised OPHK for its support to ICRC activities, particularly in facilitating access for family reunification, healthcare delivery, immunisation, and nutrition programmes. He urged deeper collaboration to improve operational effectiveness amid ongoing challenges.
Major General Abubakar described the ICRC as a dependable partner and commended its contributions to restoring normalcy and supporting livelihoods through humanitarian assistance. He reaffirmed OPHK’s commitment to supporting ICRC operations, noting that improved security conditions resulting from ongoing military operations have expanded humanitarian access across the state.
The visits featured the signing of visitors’ registers, presentation of souvenirs, and group photographs. Also present were the Deputy Theatre Commander OPHK, Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, alongside senior staff officers and personnel of Operation HADIN KAI.
