Nigeria Appoints New Military Commander Amid Escalating Jihadist Violence in Northeast
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria – April 30, 2025
Nigeria’s military has appointed Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar as the new Theatre Commander of Operation HADIN KAI, the counterinsurgency force battling Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the northeast. The leadership change follows a surge in jihadist attacks, including roadside bombings, armed drone strikes, and coordinated ambushes that have killed over 40 civilians and security personnel in recent weeks.
Leadership Shift and Strategic Mandate
- Appointment: Maj. Gen. Abubakar, previously deputy commandant of the Nigerian Defence College and head of a major security operation in north-central Nigeria, replaces Maj. Gen. Waidi Shaibu as the 15th commander of Operation HADIN KAI.
- Mission: To counter insurgents’ evolving tactics, including the use of armed drones, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and large-scale offensives linked to Islamic State advisors.
Recent Attacks and Tactical Escalation
- April 29: ISWAP claimed responsibility for a roadside bombing on the Rann-Gamboru road in Borno, killing 26 civilians, including women and children.
- April 26–27:
- Adamawa: Boko Haram ambushed and killed 10 Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) members in Hong district.
- Borno: Jihadists slaughtered 14 farmers in Gwoza near the Cameroonian border.
- New Tactics:
- Armed Drones: Used to attack military bases, including a March 2025 assault near Cameroon that killed soldiers.
- Roadside IEDs: Planted in potholes to target security patrols and civilian vehicles.
Political and Expert Reactions
- Governor Babagana Zulum: Warned that Borno is “losing ground” to militants who operate “almost daily without resistance”.
- Analysts:
- James Barnett (Hudson Institute): “ISWAP’s drone use and large-scale attacks suggest guidance from Islamic State advisors”.
- Malik Samuel (Good Governance Africa): “The resurgence mirrors earlier phases where militants seized the initiative against the military”.
- Vincent Foucher (French National Centre for Scientific Research): “ISWAP’s refined tactics reflect Islamic State’s direct influence”.
Operational Challenges and Humanitarian Crisis
- Territorial Gains: Insurgents are regrouping in Lake Chad and Sambisa Forest, leveraging poor road infrastructure and military underpreparedness.
- Displacement: Over 2 million people remain displaced in the northeast, with attacks complicating aid delivery and resettlement efforts.
- Military Response: Enhanced aerial surveillance and road-clearing operations are prioritized, but funding and coordination gaps persist.
Broader Implications
- Political Pressure: President Bola Tinubu faces scrutiny over his 2023 campaign pledge to end insecurity.
- International Concerns:
