By Abdulkareem Haruna
Maiduguri, Nigeria – The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, on Saturday lauded Nigerian troops for their valor in repelling a recent attack by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in the Lake Chad region, an engagement that reportedly resulted in significant enemy casualties.
The commendation followed an early morning assault on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, during which naval personnel successfully thwarted attempts by the terrorist groups to destroy government and security facilities. According to military reports, numerous militants were killed and several others injured as the attack was fended off.
Admiral Ogalla arrived at the Nigerian Air Force Base in Maiduguri around 11 a.m. Saturday and was greeted by Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, the Theatre Commander of the North East Joint Task Force ‘Operation Hadin Kai,’ along with other high-ranking military officials.
Accompanying Ogalla were Rear Adm. Olusegun Ferriera, Chief of Operations; Rear Adm. OK Oluwagbire, Chief of Logistics; and Rear Adm. Patrick Nwatu, the Navy Secretary. The delegation, including the Theatre Commander, subsequently flew to the Baga Naval Base in Lake Chad to address the troops directly.
During his address, Admiral Ogalla urged the forces engaged in combating Boko Haram to maintain their resolve, assuring them that the federal government is committed to providing necessary resources and promptly addressing their frontline challenges. He also pledged that Naval Headquarters is preparing to deploy additional fighting equipment and manpower to bolster their efforts.
Ogalla specifically charged the troops to take the offensive to all terrorist enclaves in and around Lake Chad, emphasizing the importance of securing the waterways for all users.
“I’m here on an operational visit to Naval Base, Lake Chad, and by extension to the ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ (OPHK) Theater Command Headquarters. This base is one of the strategic bases for the Nigerian Navy’s contribution to counter-insurgency in the Northeast,” Admiral Ogalla stated.
“I have also come to commend you because of the efforts you put in ensuring that the enemy (ISWAP) suffered great casualties when they came to attack the Naval Base recently. If at any time they want to attack our Naval Base again, they will think twice because of the massive defeat they suffered.”
He further affirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the military high command are fully dedicated to the welfare of the troops, ensuring that all necessary attention is being given to their needs.
Admiral Ogalla also cautioned against inter-agency rivalry, stressing that the collective objective should be the elimination of the state’s adversaries: Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.
“The battalion here and the Navy Base must work as twin brothers in fighting against this hydra-headed threat of insurgency here,” he added.
Upon returning to Maiduguri, Admiral Ogalla paid a courtesy call on Governor Babagana Zulum, reassuring the Borno State government and its people that naval personnel in the region would collaborate with other security agencies to defeat remaining terrorist elements in the Northeast.
Governor Zulum commended the Nigerian Army under ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ and other security agencies for their efforts in the fight against terrorism, pledging continued government support through logistics and equipment to facilitate successful operations.
Before concluding his visit, the Chief of Naval Staff visited wounded officers and soldiers receiving treatment at the 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital in Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri. He provided financial assistance and offered prayers for their swift recovery.
The Humanitarian Times 