By Saminu Ibrahim
The Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has strengthened its collaboration with universities in the region as part of efforts to enhance the safety of students, staff and academic communities.
The engagement took place on Monday, when a delegation of university authorities visited the Theatre Command Headquarters in Maiduguri to discuss security measures and ways to improve cooperation between tertiary institutions and security agencies.
The delegation was led by former Vice Chancellor of Ahman Pategi University, Patigi, Kwara State, Professor Ali Audu Sani, and included the Vice Chancellor of Al-Ansar University, Borno State, Professor Fanna Inna Abdulrahman, and the Vice Chancellor of Borno State University, Professor Babagana Gutti.
The university leaders commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support for counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in the North-East, while also applauding OPHK troops for their sacrifices and commitment to restoring peace in the region.
They said the improving security situation had boosted public confidence and created a more conducive environment for academic activities.
The delegation also acknowledged security assessments previously conducted by OPHK, which provided recommendations on perimeter protection, surveillance, communication systems and emergency preparedness.
According to the university authorities, several of the recommendations have already been implemented, including the strengthening of perimeter security, installation of surveillance cameras and improvement of communication systems.
They however pledged to sustain cooperation with security agencies and ensure timely sharing of information to help prevent and respond to emerging threats.
Responding, the Theatre Commander, Operation HADIN KAI, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, thanked the university leaders for recognising the sacrifices of troops and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting educational institutions as critical national assets.
Abubakar said security and education were closely linked, stressing that human-capacity development and community resilience were essential to achieving lasting peace in the North-East.
He also highlighted the strategic role universities could play in the non-kinetic aspect of counter-terrorism, particularly in countering radicalisation, misinformation and extremist narratives.
According to him, educated and resilient young people are less susceptible to terrorist recruitment, while universities can help promote patriotism, responsible citizenship and resistance to extremist propaganda.
The Theatre Commander assured the delegation that OPHK would continue to combine kinetic operations with proactive security measures, strategic engagement and intelligence-led protection of vulnerable institutions.
He urged university authorities to sustain the implementation of security recommendations, strengthen internal vigilance and maintain effective communication with security agencies to facilitate early warning and timely response to threats.
The engagement further reinforced the shared commitment of OPHK and the academic community to strengthening civil-military cooperation, protecting educational institutions and creating a safe environment for learning, research and sustainable development across the North-East.
