The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, has applauded the outgoing Head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) in Nigeria, Mr. Trond Jensen, for his exceptional leadership, partnership, and commitment to humanitarian coordination in the North East, reports ITREALMS.
In his remarks, Major General Abubakar described Mr. Jensen as “a dependable ally in the shared mandate to restore normalcy in the North East and create an enabling environment for socio-economic activities to thrive.” He noted that Mr. Jensen’s exit would be deeply felt, given the productive and trust-driven relationship built between OPHK and UN OCHA over the years.
The Theatre Commander emphasized the significant progress recorded through non-kinetic operations jointly implemented with UN OCHA, which have delivered meaningful support to vulnerable communities across the region. He expressed concern over the planned drawdown of UN OCHA operations by 2028, warning that reduced humanitarian presence could affect malnutrition interventions, vaccination campaigns, and other lifesaving services.
He urged for proactive measures to mitigate these gaps, adding that the combined efforts of OPHK and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps’ Agro Rangers will continue to frustrate terrorist activities, particularly during the ongoing harvest season.
Major General Abubakar reaffirmed OPHK’s unwavering commitment to supporting UN OCHA’s mission and assured Mr. Jensen that his successor would enjoy the same level of cooperation and operational support.
Earlier, Mr. Jensen expressed deep appreciation for the strong collaboration with OPHK while operating in a high-risk humanitarian environment. He explained that the forthcoming reduction of UN OCHA activities is driven not by improved security conditions, but by declining global humanitarian funding. He emphasized the need for Nigeria to strengthen local resource mobilisation to cushion the impact and requested continued security support for humanitarian personnel and critical installations.
Mr. Jensen was accompanied on the visit by Mr. Emmanuel Oluwadunsun Ojo, Humanitarian Affairs Officer and Civil-Military Coordinator, UN OCHA Nigeria.
A statement made available to ITREALMS and endorsed by the Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force North East (OPHK), Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, noted that the event was attended by the Deputy Theatre Commander, Air Vice Marshal Essen Efanga, Component Commanders, and Principal Staff Officers of Headquarters Theatre Command OPHK.
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