North-East Counter-Insurgency: Abubakar Bows Out As Ajose Takes Over Operation HADIN KAI
The Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, has a new commander. Major General Ibikunle Ajose has assumed duty as the 16th Theatre Commander, taking over from Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar whose tenure ended on Monday.
The handing and taking over ceremony was held at the Headquarters Theatre Command, Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, on 15 September, 2026.
Before the formal ceremony, Abubakar held a Stakeholders Engagement and Media Parley where he gave account of his stewardship and the state of the North East theatre.
According to him, his mandate on assumption of office was clear — restore normalcy in the North East and create an enabling environment for socio-economic activities to return.
He said the mandate recorded measurable progress. Over 7,000 displaced families have returned to their ancestral homes, with previously abandoned communities reoccupied across all Local Government Areas of Borno State.
He listed other indicators of return to normalcy to include the voluntary repatriation of over 3,000 Nigerians from Cameroon, the return of NYSC orientation camp to Maiduguri after 13 years in exile, the conduct of WAEC and NECO examinations in Banki and Gwoza, and the reopening of major trade routes and weekly markets.
On the kinetic front, Abubakar said troops under his command neutralised 1,106 JAS/ISWAP terrorists including top commanders, recovered 475 assorted weapons, 24,409 rounds of ammunition, and discovered and detonated 295 Improvised Explosive Devices.
He said troops intercepted over N300 million linked to terrorist financiers and arrested 758 logistics collaborators.
He added that sustained pressure forced 969 fighters and their family members to surrender in the last one year, while 638 civilians were rescued from terrorist enclaves.
The theatre, he said, was also expanded with the operationalisation of Sector 4, induction of Nigerian Army Aviation helicopters, deployment of the Remotely Piloted Aircraft System Regiment, and upgrade of the Military Command and Control Centre for improved surveillance.
Representing Governor Babagana Zulum at the parley, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, described Abubakar as a responsive and decisive commander who restored confidence among stakeholders.
He said Abubakar’s prompt response to actionable intelligence, investment in intelligence gathering, civil-military relations and welfare of troops distinguished his tenure, noting that what remains of the insurgents is a residue of a once formidable force.
Abubakar, who later laid a wreath at the Maimalari Cantonment Military Cemetery in honour of fallen heroes, attributed the successes to the sacrifices of troops and support from President Bola Tinubu, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Borno State Government, UN OCHA, ICRC, Hybrid Forces, security agencies and the media.
In his farewell charge, he urged troops to remain professional and to sustain the fight in honour of fallen colleagues, while asking stakeholders to extend the same loyalty to his successor whom he described as a battle-tested infantry general.
In his inaugural address, Maj. Gen. Ajose said the mandate of the Theatre remains unchanged — to facilitate return of normalcy and socio-economic recovery in the North East.
He commended Abubakar for the visible gains and pledged to consolidate them.
“I am not a stranger to this Theatre,” Ajose said. “Having served as Commander 5 Brigade and Chief of Staff, Force Special Forces Command in Borno, I know the terrain and I will bring that experience to bear to bring terrorism to an end.”
He pledged to sustain partnership with the Borno State Government, humanitarian community, Hybrid Forces, Civilian Joint Task Force and the media.
The ceremony climaxed with signing of handing and taking over notes, inspection of quarter guard, lowering and hoisting of regimental colours, presentation of souvenirs and group photograph.
