By Elizabeth Tanko
Maiduguri, Borno State — The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) has witnessed a change of baton as Major General Abdulsalam Enesi Abubakar handed over command to Major General Ibikunle Ajose as the 16th Theatre Commander.
The handing and taking over ceremony held on 15 September, 2026 at Headquarters Theatre Command, Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Ahead of the formal handover, Maj Gen Abubakar hosted a Stakeholders Engagement and Media Parley where he gave account of his stewardship.
He said his mandate was to restore normalcy in the North East and create an enabling environment for socio-economic activities to thrive.
He disclosed that over 7,000 displaced families returned to their ancestral communities, with abandoned communities reoccupied across all Local Government Areas of Borno State.
He listed the repatriation of over 3,000 Nigerians from Cameroon, return of NYSC Orientation to Maiduguri after 13 years, conduct of WAEC and NECO in Banki and Gwoza, and reopening of trade routes and markets as major non-kinetic milestones.
On kinetic operations, Abubakar said troops neutralised 1,106 JAS/ISWAP terrorists including top leaders, recovered 475 weapons and 24,409 rounds of ammunition, and detonated 295 IEDs. Over N300 million linked to terrorist financiers was intercepted, while 758 logistics collaborators were arrested.
A total of 969 fighters and family members surrendered, while 638 civilians were rescued in the last one year.
He attributed the feats to troops’ gallantry and stakeholders’ support, thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, CDS Gen. Olatubosun Oluyede, COAS Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Borno State Government, UN OCHA, ICRC, British Defence Staff and others. He also laid a wreath at the Maimalari Cantonment Military Cemetery in honour of fallen heroes.
In his remarks as Special Guest of Honour, Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, represented by Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, commended Maj Gen Abubakar for providing responsive and decisive leadership under demanding circumstances.
Governor Zulum said Abubakar gave stakeholders no reason to doubt his command, particularly lauding his prompt response to actionable intelligence.
He described the remaining terrorists as a mere residue of what was once a formidable adversary, noting that the establishment of a command-and-control centre linking all units, improved intelligence gathering, robust civil-military relations and enhanced personnel welfare were hallmarks of Abubakar’s tenure.
In his maiden address, the new Theatre Commander, Major General Ibikunle Ajose, said the mandate remains to restore normalcy and enable socio-economic growth in the North East.
The battle-tested Infantry General, who previously served as Commander 5 Brigade and Chief of Staff, Force Special Forces Command, pledged to consolidate the gains and sustain partnerships with the state government, Hybrid Forces, CJTF, humanitarian partners and the media.
