Security, Humanitarian Efforts Get Boost As OPHK Deepens Ties With Park Authorities, UN OCHA
As security agencies increasingly recognise the link between environmental protection and national security, the military in Nigeria’s North-East is strengthening partnerships aimed at denying terrorists safe havens and improving humanitarian access to vulnerable communities.
The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has reaffirmed its commitment to deeper collaboration with the Chad Basin National Park and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) to enhance security and humanitarian operations across the region.
During a courtesy visit to the Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, at the Headquarters OPHK in Maiduguri, the Conservator of Parks, Chad Basin National Park, Innocent Asuquo, called for stronger inter-agency cooperation to prevent terrorists and criminal elements from exploiting forest reserves and national parks as hideouts.
Responding, Major General Abubakar stressed that ungoverned forest spaces remain a security concern and urged effective monitoring of park areas to support tourism while denying criminals freedom of action.
He also pledged continued support and capacity building for park personnel.
In a related engagement, the Deputy Head of Office of UN OCHA Nigeria, Patricia Mucheche, sought increased collaboration with OPHK to improve humanitarian access to affected populations, particularly internally displaced persons during ongoing resettlement efforts and the approaching rainy season.
The Theatre Commander praised UN OCHA’s contributions in food distribution, nutrition support, emergency response, prevention of gender-based violence and family reunification, describing the organisation as a dependable partner in the military’s non-kinetic operations.
He assured that OPHK would continue to provide a secure environment for humanitarian activities through sustained patrols, counter-IED operations and the creation of safe zones for vulnerable populations.
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