R-L: Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar and Major General Ibikunle Ajose,
Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has witnessed a change of command as Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar formally handed over the mantle of leadership to Major General Ibikunle Ajose, who assumed duty as the 16th Theatre Commander.
The formal handing and taking over ceremony was held on 15 September 2026 at Headquarters Theatre Command, Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, marking the conclusion of Major General Abubakar’s tenure as the 15th Theatre Commander and the commencement of Major General Ajose’s leadership of the Theatre.
Ahead of the formal handing and taking over ceremony, Major General Abubakar hosted a Stakeholders Engagement and Media Parley as part of activities marking the end of his tenure.
During the engagement, he reflected on the mandate and achievements of the Theatre, stating that the task given to OPHK when he assumed command was to facilitate the restoration of normalcy in the North East and create an enabling environment for socio-economic activities to thrive.
He noted that over 7,000 displaced families had returned to their ancestral communities, while previously abandoned communities had been reoccupied across every Local Government Area of Borno State.
Major General Abubakar further highlighted the voluntary, safe and dignified repatriation of over 3,000 Nigerians from the Republic of Cameroon, the return of the National Youth Service Corps Orientation Scheme to Maiduguri after more than 13 years, the conduct of WAEC and NECO examinations in communities such as Banki and Gwoza, as well as the reopening of trade routes and local markets.
On operational achievements, he disclosed that troops neutralised over 1,106 JAS/ISWAP terrorists, including notable terrorist leaders, recovered over 475 assorted weapons and 24,409 rounds of ammunition of various calibres, and discovered and detonated no fewer than 295 Improvised Explosive Devices.
He added that over ₦300 million linked to terrorist financiers was intercepted, while no fewer than 758 terrorist logistics collaborators were arrested.
He added that sustained kinetic pressure, complemented by non-kinetic efforts, resulted in over 969 JAS/ISWAP fighters and their family members surrendering within the last one year, while 638 civilians were rescued from terrorist enclaves.
The Theatre was also strengthened through the operationalisation of Sector 4, induction of Nigerian Army Aviation helicopters and the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft System Regiment, as well as the enhancement of the Military Command and Control Centre to improve frontline surveillance and situational awareness.
Also speaking during the Stakeholders Engagement and Media Parley, the Special Guest of Honour the Executive Governor of Borno State, His Excellency Professor Babagana Umara Zulum who was represented by Honourable Commissioner Ministry of Information and Internal Security Professor Usman Tar, commended Major General Abubakar for his responsive and decisive leadership, noting that he gave stakeholders no reason to doubt his command even under the most demanding circumstances.
He particularly lauded his prompt response to actionable intelligence and described the remaining terrorists as a residue of what was once a formidable adversary.
He also identified the establishment of a command-and-control centre linking units and formations across the Theatre, improvements in intelligence gathering, civil-military relations and personnel welfare as key initiatives that contributed to the successes recorded during Major General Abubakar’s tenure.
Major General Abubakar attributed the achievements to the courage, resilience and sacrifices of troops, as well as the support of critical stakeholders.
He expressed appreciation to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the Chief of Defence Staff, General OO Oluyede; the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General W Shuaibu; the Borno State Government under Professor Babagana Umara Zulum; UN OCHA; ICRC; Team HADIN KAI; British Defence Staff–West Africa; other security agencies; Hybrid Forces; humanitarian partners; and the media. In a solemn tribute to fallen heroes, Major General Abubakar also visited the Maimalari Cantonment Military Cemetery, where he laid a wreath in honour of personnel who paid the supreme sacrifice in defence of the nation.
At the formal handing and taking over ceremony, Major General Abubakar charged troops to remain dedicated and professional in the discharge of their duties and to honour personnel who paid the supreme sacrifice by sustaining the fight against terrorism. He urged troops and other stakeholders to extend the same cooperation and loyalty accorded him to Major General Ajose, whom he described as a battle-tested infantry general whose wealth of experience would be brought to bear in consolidating the gains of the Theatre.
In his maiden address after assuming command, Major General Ajose affirmed that the mandate of the Theatre remained unchanged: to facilitate the restoration of normalcy in the North East and enable socio-economic activities to thrive.
He commended his predecessor for the visible and appreciable progress recorded and pledged to sustain and consolidate the gains. Noting that he was not a stranger to the Theatre, having previously served as Commander 5 Brigade and Chief of Staff, Force Special Forces Command in Borno State, Major General Ajose assured that his knowledge of the terrain and operational experience would be brought to bear in efforts to bring terrorism in the North East to an end.
He also pledged to sustain the existing relationships with the Borno State Government, humanitarian partners, Hybrid Forces, Civilian Joint Task Force, the media and other critical stakeholders.
The formal handing and taking over ceremony featured the signing of handing and taking over notes, address to troops, quarter guard, lowering and hoisting of the Regimental Colours, presentation of awards and souvenirs, as well as a group photograph.
