The former Theatre Commander Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Major General W Shaibu, delivered a thought-provoking lecture to participants of Naval Warfare Course (NWC) 9 of Naval War College Nigeria (NWCN) on Thursday 8 May 2025. The lecture titled “Joint Operations: My Personal Experience in Command” was delivered at the College Central Lecture Hall. The purpose of the lecture was for the senior officer to share his personal experience in command of the JTF OPHK, with the participants.
Major General Shaibu highlighted the benefits of joint operations which include enhanced military capabilities, increased flexibility, improved coordination and resource optimization. He emphasized that a joint force leverages the combination of the specialized capabilities of individual Services to ensure its effective operation, and to adapt quickly to changing situations and complexities. A joint force also takes advantage of the shared understanding and communication between the Services to reduce errors and risks, and to streamline the use of resources to prevent duplication of efforts. The former Theatre Commander JTF OPHK thereafter recounted some notable kinetic and non-kinetic operations conducted by the JTF that yielded remarkable results and contributed enormously to Nigeria’s national security. The operations include Operation DESERT SANITY III and LAKE SANITY, Stabilization Operations in Kukawa, Wet/Harvest Season Operations and Operation FLOOD SANITY II. On one hand, the kinetic operations conducted led to the neutralization of several terrorists, recovery of arms and ammunition and the surrender of a good number of terrorists; thereby reducing the potency of the terrorist group in the North-East region. On the other hand, the non-kinetic operations ensured the return of internally displaced persons to their ancestral homes; thereby improving their well-being, and also the return of farmers to their farmlands; thereby boosting food security in the North-East region, with significant impact on national security.
The Commandant NWCN, Rear Admiral AO Olodude appreciated the former Commander JTF OPHK for the insightful lecture and for sparing time from his busy schedule to share his thoughts and experience in joint operations with participants of NWC 9. He thereafter commended the efforts of personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria who have made sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and other forms of insecurity in various theatres across the nation. The Commandant concluded his remarks by encouraging participants to note the lessons drawn from the personal experience of the former Commander JTF OPHK, for future applications as operational-level commanders.
