MAJOR GENERAL ABUBAKAR HANDS OVER OPHK COMMAND AFTER 17 MONTHS OF INTENSIFIED OPERATIONS, OVER 1,000 TERRORISTS NEUTRALIZED

MAJOR GENERAL ABUBAKAR HANDS OVER OPHK COMMAND AFTER 17 MONTHS OF INTENSIFIED OPERATIONS, OVER 1,000 TERRORISTS NEUTRALIZED

Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar has handed over the leadership of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), after 17 months of sustained counter-terrorism operations that recorded significant battlefield successes, strengthened civil-military cooperation and contributed to the return of normalcy across communities in the North East.

During his tenure as the 15th Theatre Commander, Major General Abubakar led sustained kinetic and non-kinetic operations aimed at degrading JAS/ISWAP terrorist networks, disrupting their logistics and financing, rescuing civilians and creating an enabling environment for the return of displaced persons and socio-economic activities.

At a Stakeholders Engagement and Media Parley held to mark the end of his tenure, Major General Abubakar disclosed that troops under OPHK had neutralised over 1,106 JAS/ISWAP terrorists, recovered more than 475 assorted weapons and 24,409 rounds of ammunition, and discovered and detonated 295 Improvised Explosive Devices. He added that over ₦300 million linked to terrorist financiers had been intercepted, while 758 terrorist logistics collaborators had been arrested.

Beyond the battlefield, the outgoing Theatre Commander highlighted the surrender of over 969 JAS/ISWAP fighters and their family members, as well as the rescue of 638 civilians from terrorist enclaves. He also disclosed that more than 7,000 displaced families had returned to their ancestral communities, with previously abandoned communities reoccupied across the Local Government Areas of Borno State.

The period also witnessed notable developments in the restoration of normalcy, including the voluntary, safe and dignified repatriation of over 3,000 Nigerians from 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 including Banki and Gwoza, and the reopening of trade routes and local markets.

Major General Abubakar’s tenure also saw the operationalisation of Sector 4, the 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 strengthen surveillance, intelligence coordination and situational awareness across the Theatre. In a solemn tribute to fallen heroes, Major General Abubakar visited the Maimalari Cantonment Military Cemetery and laid a wreath in honour of personnel who paid the supreme sacrifice in the defence of the nation.

The Borno State Government acknowledged improvements in intelligence gathering, command and control, civil-military relations and personnel welfare during his tenure.

At the formal handing and taking over ceremony held on 15 September 2026 at Theatre Command Headquarters, Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, Major General Abubakar charged troops to remain professional, disciplined and committed to the fight against terrorism. He urged them to honour the sacrifices of fallen comrades by sustaining the operational momentum and extending the same cooperation and loyalty to his successor.

Taking over as the 16th Theatre Commander, Major General Ibikunle Ajose commended his predecessor for the gains recorded and pledged to consolidate the achievements of the Theatre. He noted that he was familiar with the operational environment, having previously served as Commander 5 Brigade and Chief of Staff, Force Special Forces Command, in Borno State.