KEY POINTS

Nigeria’s Defense Headquarters announced the appointment of Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar as the new theater commander for counterterrorism operations in the northeast, replacing Major General Gold Chibuisi.

AAN TV reports that the move follows a surge in deadly attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents, including a Tuesday assault in Borno State that claimed 26 lives.

Abubakar, previously deputy commandant of the Nigerian Defence College and a key figure in quelling banditry in the north-central region, now faces the daunting task of reversing insurgent gains in areas like Borno, where Governor Babagana Zulum warned that “territories are slipping from the state’s control.”

Insurgents expand tactics with armed drones and roadside bombs

The northeast has endured over 15 years of insurgency, displacing 2.2 million people and killing an estimated 35,000 since 2009. Recent months have seen insurgents intensify attacks using advanced tactics, including armed drones targeting military bases and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted on highways.

Last week, ISWAP claimed responsibility for ambushing a convoy in Yobe State, killing 14 soldiers. Security analysts link the resurgence to insurgent regrouping during Nigeria’s 2023 elections, which diverted military resources to election security.

Zulum’s office issued a statement Tuesday urging the federal government to “prioritize civilian protection and restore stability to farming communities.” His plea aligns with concerns from the United Nations, which reports that 4.8 million people in the Lake Chad Basin face acute food insecurity due to disrupted agriculture.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has yet to comment on whether Abubakar’s appointment is a direct response to recent setbacks. Defense spokesperson Brigadier General Tukur Gusau stated only that “leadership rotations are routine to inject fresh strategies.”

Abubakar’s predecessor, Chibuisi, oversaw mixed results during his tenure. While major cities like Maiduguri remained secure, rural areas saw increased insurgent activity.

The new commander inherits challenges including inadequate funding, delayed salary payments to troops, and low morale. A 2024 report by the International Crisis Group criticized Nigeria’s “overreliance on militarized approaches” without parallel investments in community reconciliation or economic development.

The appointment coincides with regional efforts to revive the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), a coalition of Lake Chad Basin countries. Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, recently met with counterparts from Chad, Niger, and Cameroon to discuss cross-bo