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The new Theatre Commander Joint Task Force North-East Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Maj Gen Ibikunle Ajose, has pledged tougher offensive against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorist groups operating in the North-East.
Gen Ajose made the pledge on Tuesday while taking over the command of the counter-terrorism operation at the headquarters of the theatre in Maiduguri.
He said he will not only sustain the tempo of the heat against terrorists but also inject sharper bite in the operation.
“I am familiar with the terrain and people. Therefore my knowledge of the environment will help in sustaining the successes we have achieved in the theatre so far. I will sustain the success of my predecessor by putting more pressure on the terrorists,” he assured.
He solicited for the support of the government, partners and civilian population to achieve the mandate of the theatre. He maintained that lasting peace in the North-East cannot be achieved through military operation alone but with a combination of non-kinetic approach.
Ajose, an infantry officer, had served as a Brigade Commander in Borno and Commander, Operation Fansan Yamma in the North-West before his appointment as the 16th Theatre Commander for the North-East.
Outgoing commander, Maj Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar, who assumed office on 28th April 2025, described his 17 months of service in the North-East as eventful.
He highlighted some of his successes including return of over 7,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their communities and recent repatriation of over 3,000 refugees from Cameroon to Borno.
He recalled that the theatre under his command also ensured resumption of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation exercise for the first time in 13 years in Borno.
“Over 216 terrorist leaders have been taken out and over 500 assorted weapons recovered, over N350 million seized from various operations against terrorists in the theatre,” he said.
He thanked the Borno State government, humanitarian community, Civilian Joint Task Force and other hybrid forces for the support given to him during the period. He urged them to extend the same support to his successor.
Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, represented by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof Usman Tar, commended the outgoing commander for his diligence and commitment to peace in the North-East.
He said the TC, sometimes, waded through very difficult situations to sustain heat on the terrorists. He urged the new commander to build on the record and improve synergy with community members.
“The Borno State government stands firmly with the theatre and the Nigerian military in bringing peace to the North-East and securing the territorial integrity of the country,” he assured.
The event witnessed handing and taking over of the theatre by the outgoing and new commanders, operational briefing, Change of Guard, farewell address by the outgoing TC to officers and troops, and visit to the military cemetery to honour the fallen heroes.
