The Nigerian Army has airlifted 332 military personnel into and out of the North-East theatre of operations under its Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Welfare Flight programme as part of ongoing efforts to improve troop welfare and operational efficiency.

Military sources disclosed that the June 2026 welfare flight, conducted on June 2 using a chartered ValueJet aircraft, transported 174 personnel into the Theatre of Operation Hadin Kai and moved 158 personnel out of the theatre.

The sources further revealed that a cumulative total of 33,097 military personnel have been transported into and out of the theatre since the welfare flight initiative commenced.

According to the sources, the programme is one of several welfare-focused reforms introduced by the Nigerian Army to boost morale, enhance operational effectiveness and improve the well-being of personnel serving in frontline counter-insurgency operations.

As part of the reforms, the Army recently reviewed troops’ allowances upward from N20,000 to N50,000 for soldiers across all ranks from privates to warrant officers.

Military authorities said the increase reflects the commitment of the Army leadership to recognising the sacrifices and dedication of troops involved in the ongoing fight against insurgency and other security threats.

The sources explained that the reforms align with the “Soldier First” concept of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, which places emphasis on the welfare, career progression and professional development of military personnel.

They added that the welfare measures have contributed to improved morale among troops, who continue to demonstrate resilience, commitment and professionalism despite the challenges of operating in a complex security environment.

Operation Hadin Kai remains the Nigerian military’s flagship counter-insurgency operation in the North-East, where troops continue to conduct operations against terrorist and insurgent groups in the region.