Specialised naval personnel have joined Army and Air Force troops in joint operations against terrorist groups around the Lake Chad axis as military authorities call for stronger public intelligence support.

The Nigerian Navy has deployed a newly trained group of Marines to Baga in Borno State to strengthen ongoing military operations against terrorist activities in the Northeast.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, disclosed this during an interview with journalists on the sidelines of the ongoing Chief of Naval Staff’s Retreat at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja.

According to Oluyede, the specialised naval personnel received training with support from the United States and have already been integrated into operations in the Northeast, working alongside troops of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force.

He said the Marines were performing well in joint operations, particularly in efforts to contain terrorist activities around the Baga axis.

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Speaking on their deployment, the CDS said the personnel were specially selected and trained to strengthen the military’s operational capabilities.

“They have already been inducted into operations in the Northeast, and they are doing very well, especially in the Baga axis,” he said, expressing satisfaction with their performance alongside other military services.

Joint Operations Intensify Around Lake Chad

The deployment comes amid intensified military operations under Operation Hadin Kai, which coordinates land, air and maritime efforts to disrupt terrorist activities around the Lake Chad Basin.

The maritime component of the operation, operating from Naval Base Lake Chad in Baga, reportedly launched an offensive on October 28, 2026, targeting suspected terrorist positions across the Lake Chad waterways.

The military reported that eight terrorists were killed and 10 others wounded during the operation.

Earlier, on October 26, ground troops conducted an offensive against terrorist enclaves in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, reportedly killing 28 terrorists and injuring six others.

According to the military, the ground operation was based on actionable intelligence gathered through surveillance.

The deployment of the newly trained Marines adds to the joint operational structure involving the Navy, Army and Air Force, particularly in areas where waterways and difficult terrain form part of the security challenge.

Defence Chief Seeks Public Support

Beyond the military operations, Oluyede urged Nigerians to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information about suspicious activities within their communities.

He emphasised that intelligence from members of the public remained essential to identifying threats, preventing attacks and supporting ongoing counterterrorism operations.

The CDS reassured citizens that the armed forces were making collective efforts to improve security across the country, while appealing for continued public cooperation.

He noted that security operations depended not only on military capabilities but also on information and collaboration from local communities.

Strengthening Security in the Northeast

The latest deployment highlights the importance of specialised training and inter-service cooperation in Nigeria’s ongoing counterterrorism campaign.

With terrorist groups continuing to operate around the Lake Chad Basin, coordinated land, air and maritime operations remain central to efforts to restrict their movements and disrupt their activities.

The military’s call for community intelligence also underscores the role of civilian cooperation in complementing operational deployments and improving security across affected areas.