Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has made a frontline visit to Borno State, calling on soldiers deployed across the region to sustain heightened vigilance as security forces continue operations against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province insurgents.

The visit, which included stops at key military formations in Maiduguri and surrounding operational bases, comes at a time when fresh attacks and abductions in parts of northern Nigeria have renewed public concern about national security. Lagbaja met with frontline commanders, reviewed ongoing operations and addressed troops charged with securing one of the country’s most volatile theatres.

During his interaction with soldiers, the Army Chief praised the operational successes recorded in the northeast while underscoring that complacency remains dangerous given the evolving tactics of insurgent groups. He urged personnel to remain focused, disciplined and proactive, stressing that sustained pressure is crucial to preventing militants from regrouping or exploiting gaps in security coverage.

Lagbaja’s address also highlighted the importance of intelligence coordination, rapid response capability and community cooperation, all of which remain central to degrading insurgent cells scattered across Borno’s rural corridors. According to military officials, recent operations have targeted supply chains, safe houses and transit routes used by extremist fighters.

The visit forms part of ongoing morale-boosting tours aimed at strengthening engagement between the Army leadership and frontline units. Commanders in Borno briefed the Army Chief on operational challenges that include difficult terrain, improvised explosive devices and continued attempts by militants to infiltrate vulnerable communities.

Lagbaja encouraged troops to uphold rules of engagement, maintain professionalism and prioritise the protection of civilians as operations intensify. He reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to restoring long-term stability in the northeast, adding that the sacrifices of troops on the front line remain critical to Nigeria’s wider national security strategy.

As security forces continue to face complex threats, the Army leadership says sustained vigilance and operational discipline will determine the tempo of progress in the months ahead.