Nigeria Appoints New Boko Haram Army Commander

Nigeria has appointed Major General Ibikunle Ademola Ajose to lead military operations against Boko Haram and its Daesh splinter faction in the northeast, replacing Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, an army spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Ajose, who previously served at Army Headquarters in Abuja, takes over as commander of Operation Hadin Kai. Abubakar, the operation’s 15th commander, assumed the position in April 2025.

The change comes ahead of Nigeria’s presidential election, with insecurity remaining a major concern after years of violence, banditry and kidnappings across parts of the country.

Boko Haram and its splinter group, ISWAP, have killed more than 40,000 people and displaced millions since 2009, according to data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project.

Security concerns disrupted voting in parts of northeastern Nigeria during the last presidential election and remain an issue ahead of the next polls.

The army did not link the change in command to any recent attacks in the northeast.

The appointment was part of a wider military shake-up involving 14 other generals. Army spokesperson Appolonia Anele said the changes were intended to improve operational effectiveness, strengthen leadership and align command structures with Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

The army did not provide further details on the circumstances behind Abubakar’s replacement.

SOURCE: AFP