Ajose pledges continuity, sustained pressure against terrorists as new OPHK commander

By Zagazola Makama

The newly appointed Theatre Commander, North East Joint Task Force, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Maj.-Gen. Ibikunle Ajose, has pledged to sustain the gains recorded in the North-East while deepening cooperation with the Borno State Government, humanitarian organisations, international partners, hybrid forces and the media.

Ajose made the commitment in Maiduguri during his introduction and stakeholders’ engagement following the formal transition of command from the outgoing Theatre Commander, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar.

He said the change in leadership would not alter the fundamental mission of Operation HADIN KAI, which is to facilitate the restoration of normalcy in the North-East and create the conditions necessary for socio-economic activities to thrive.

According to him, the progress already recorded in the Theatre provided a foundation upon which the new command would build.

“I must admit that visible and appreciable progress has been made towards achieving this mandate, and I convey my sincere appreciation to the outgoing Theatre Commander for his leadership, steadfastness and professional example that has made those gains possible,” Ajose said.

He pledged to consolidate the achievements of his predecessor while ensuring that the military campaign remained focused on protecting communities, sustaining pressure on terrorist elements and creating the conditions for displaced persons to return home safely.

Ajose: I am not a stranger to the North-East

The new Theatre Commander said his previous appointments had given him considerable familiarity with the North-East, its people, terrain and the security challenges confronting the region.

Ajose previously served as Commander of 5 Brigade and as Chief of Staff of 4 Special Forces Command in Borno State.

“I am familiar with the terrain, the people and the complexity of the threats. I therefore assume this command with some knowledge of this Theatre,” he said.

He added that his experience from various command and staff appointments in the Nigerian Army would guide his approach to the responsibilities of leading Operation HADIN KAI.

Ajose said his immediate objective would be to build upon the operational gains recorded under Abubakar rather than disrupt the structures and partnerships that had contributed to the progress in the Theatre.

Commander pledges continuity with Borno Government

Ajose gave particular assurance of continuity in the strategic partnership between the Theatre Command and the Borno State Government.

Addressing Gov. Babagana Umara Zulum, he acknowledged the progress recorded in the state, including the reopening of markets, functioning of schools, repatriation of displaced citizens and stabilisation of communities affected by the insurgency.

He said those achievements were the result of deliberate cooperation between the state government and the military.

“I pledge continuity of partnership, as milestones were achieved today, which include re-opening markets, functioning schools, repatriation and stabilization,” Ajose said.

“All these did not happen in isolation. They happened because both government chose to lead, and because the Theatre chose to work with that leadership.”

He assured the governor that the military would maintain the tradition of practical cooperation and ensure that the partnership remained focused on tangible results for the people.

Humanitarian partnership central to restoration of normalcy

Ajose also recognised the role of humanitarian organisations operating across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, particularly those working in difficult and insecure environments.

He described cooperation with humanitarian partners as an operational necessity rather than a ceremonial relationship, stressing that the restoration of normalcy could not be achieved by military action alone.

“To our humanitarian partners, I recognize your courage and your presence in difficult locations. Collaboration and coordination with partners like you are not a courtesy but a necessity for the good people of this region,” he said.

The Theatre Commander said he would favour direct engagement and honest dialogue whenever disagreements emerged between the military and humanitarian actors.

“Where there has been friction, I will prefer honest dialogue to silence. Where cohesion as a group, I will protect it,” he said.

Ajose stressed that humanitarian action would remain an important component of his command’s approach to the conflict.

“Lasting peace in the North-East will not be secured by kinetic action alone. The humanitarian line of effort remains central to the return of normalcy, and I will treat it as such,” he said.

Sustained pressure on terrorists, dignified pathway for surrender

On the operational front, Ajose pledged to maintain pressure on terrorist elements who continue to choose violence while preserving an opportunity for those willing to abandon the insurgency.

“Lastly, I intend to build on the successes of my predecessor by sustaining pressure on those who still choose violence, while keeping open a dignified pathway for those who choose to surrender,” he said.

The approach, he explained, would combine military pressure against terrorist groups with a structured opportunity for fighters and their families who abandon violence to surrender and pursue a peaceful return to society.

He also pledged to prioritise the protection of vulnerable civilians and support returns of displaced populations to their ancestral communities.

According to him, such returns must be voluntary, safe and sustainable, with the security environment sufficiently stabilised to allow communities to rebuild their lives.

Foreign partners, hybrid forces assured of continuity

The new Theatre Commander extended the command’s appreciation to Nigeria’s international partners, particularly the United Kingdom and the British Defence Staff for Africa, as well as the hybrid forces supporting the counter-insurgency campaign.

He said their assistance had contributed to strengthening the operational capabilities of Operation HADIN KAI.

“To our foreign partners, the United Kingdom and the British Defence Staff for Africa, as well as the hybrid forces, I extend the appreciation of this Theatre Command for the successful support that has strengthened our operations,” he said.

Ajose assured the partners that the Theatre Command would maintain continuity in its engagements and seek to translate existing cooperation into greater operational effect.

“This command will remain a reliable partner and will work with you to ensure that our cooperation produces greater operational effect in the discharge of the Operation HADIN KAI mandate,” he said.

Ajose asks media for fairness, accuracy and responsibility

The new commander also placed considerable emphasis on the role of the media in the counter-insurgency campaign, urging journalists to exercise fairness, accuracy and responsibility in reporting security developments.

He said public confidence was itself an important component of the operational environment and that residents of the North-East deserved information that would help them understand developments without unnecessarily inflaming tensions.

“I ask for fairness, accuracy and responsibility. Public confidence is part of the battle space, and the good people of the North-East deserve information that informs, and not information that inflames,” Ajose said.

He sought the continued partnership of journalists and other stakeholders, offering accessibility and clarity of purpose in return.

“I ask from you what you gave the outgoing Theatre Commander: that is openness, operational and goodwill, and in return I offer accessibility, clarity of purpose, and a willingness to work with every partner whose objective is peace,” he said.

“There is no impossibility for him who will try”

Ajose concluded his remarks by drawing inspiration from a statement associated with Alexander the Great, which he described as a personal mantra.

“There is no impossibility for him who will try. Therefore, I shall continue to try,” he said.

He thanked stakeholders for their presence and support as he assumed command of the Theatre.

The transition effectively places Ajose at the helm of Operation HADIN KAI at a stage when the military campaign is increasingly being pursued through a combination of sustained combat operations, intelligence-led actions, humanitarian coordination, government support, strategic partnerships and efforts to facilitate the safe return of displaced communities.

Ajose pledges continuity, sustained pressure against terrorists as new OPHK commander

Over 7,000 IDPs return to ancestral homes as OPHK restores normalcy in Borno says Maj Gen Abubakar

By Zagazola Makama

More than 7,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have returned to their ancestral communities across Borno State following improved security conditions created by sustained military operations under Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), the outgoing Theatre Commander, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, has said.

Abubakar disclosed this during his farewell and introduction engagement with humanitarian partners, representatives of the Borno State Government and members of the press in Maiduguri on Tuesday.

He said the return of the displaced families represented one of the clearest indicators of the progress recorded by the Theatre during his tenure as the 15th Theatre Commander of OPHK.

According to him, the fundamental mandate given to the Theatre was not merely to conduct military operations but to facilitate the restoration of normalcy in the North-East, allowing communities to recover and socio-economic activities to resume.

He explained that normalcy could be measured by the reopening of schools and markets, access to farmlands, restoration of essential services and, most importantly, the ability of families who had fled violence to return safely to their ancestral homes.

“Together, we have seen over 7,000 displaced families return to their ancestral communities and today, communities that were abandoned for years have been re-occupied, such that returned communities now exist in every Local Government Area of Borno State,” he said.

The development, he noted, marked a significant shift in communities that had remained largely deserted for years as a result of insurgency and the fear of attacks.

Abubakar said the return of the IDPs was made possible by the combined efforts of the military, the Borno State Government, humanitarian organisations, traditional institutions and local communities.

He stressed that the objective of military operations was ultimately to create a secure environment where civilians could reclaim their communities, rebuild their homes, cultivate their farms and restart their livelihoods.

The outgoing commander said the return of displaced families was supported by sustained counter-terrorism operations which degraded the capabilities of JAS and ISWAP across the Theatre.

Abubakar said the pressure generated by sustained military operations, combined with non-kinetic measures, had also contributed to a major wave of surrenders.

He disclosed that more than 969 JAS/ISWAP fighters and their family members surrendered within the last one year, creating another pathway through which affected communities could gradually move away from the cycle of violence.

The Theatre Commander said the restoration of security had produced visible changes in several communities across Borno.

He pointed to the reopening of trade routes and local markets, allowing residents to resume economic activities that had been disrupted by years of insurgency.

Over 7,000 IDPs return to ancestral homes as OPHK restores normalcy in Borno says Maj Gen Abubakar

“No theatre in the country enjoys a stronger partnership than the one we enjoyed with Borno State Government” — Maj Gen Abubakar

By Zagazola Makama

The outgoing Theatre Commander, North East Joint Task Force, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, has lauded the Borno State Government for what he described as unwavering support to military operations, declaring that no theatre of operations in the country enjoyed a stronger partnership with its host government than the relationship between OPHK and the Borno State Government.

Abubakar made the declaration during his farewell and introduction engagement with humanitarian partners, representatives of the Borno State Government and members of the press in Maiduguri on Tuesday.

He said the partnership between the Theatre and the state government had been critical to the fight against insurgency, protection of civilians, restoration of normalcy and the return of displaced persons to their ancestral communities.

“I say it plainly; no theatre of operations in this country enjoys a stronger partnership with its host government,” Abubakar said.

The outgoing commander specifically commended Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for his sustained support to Operation HADIN KAI, particularly through the provision of critical combat enablers that had strengthened the operational capacity of troops across the Theatre.

He listed Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAPs), long-range surveillance cameras and drones, among other support provided by the Borno State Government.

According to him, the state government’s contributions had gone beyond ordinary civil-military cooperation, providing practical capabilities that directly supported troops in their efforts to protect communities and degrade terrorist networks.

“These critical contributions have strengthened the partnership between the State Government and Operation HADIN KAI, and reinforced our collective resolve to defeat the insurgency, protect innocent lives, sustain peace, restore normalcy and enable the safe return of displaced persons to their communities,” he said.

Abubakar said the support was particularly significant because the restoration of normalcy in the North-East required a strong partnership between the military and the government responsible for the welfare and recovery of affected communities.

He urged the Borno State Government to maintain the partnership with his successor, saying the incoming Theatre Commander would require the same level of cooperation and support to consolidate the gains already recorded.

“I therefore respectfully request that this same partnership and support be extended to the incoming Theatre Commander as he assumes the duty of sustaining the gains we have made,” he said.

The outgoing Theatre Commander extended his appreciation to the wider humanitarian community, particularly organisations operating in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States.

He commended the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) for its continued support to vulnerable populations and its contribution to stabilisation efforts across the North-East.

Abubakar said humanitarian organisations had remained important partners in addressing the consequences of the insurgency, particularly the suffering of displaced persons and other vulnerable civilians.

He said their work, guided by the principles of humanity, impartiality and neutrality, had complemented the security efforts of Operation HADIN KAI in tangible ways.

“Your work, guided by the principles of humanity, impartiality and neutrality, has alleviated the suffering of the most vulnerable and has complemented our stabilisation efforts in tangible ways,” he said.

He explained that the military had also continued to support humanitarian operations by providing protection, escorts and an enabling security environment for aid workers to operate.

According to him, the relationship was based on complementary responsibilities, with the military creating the security conditions while humanitarian organisations delivered assistance to affected populations.

The Theatre Commander also highlighted the importance of regular dialogue between military and humanitarian actors.

He described the recent humanitarian roundtable as a productive engagement that provided stakeholders with an opportunity to examine coordination challenges and improve the conduct of humanitarian operations.

Abubakar urged stakeholders to institutionalise such engagements, saying regular dialogue would help prevent misunderstandings and improve the delivery of assistance to vulnerable communities.

He reiterated that requests for military escorts by humanitarian organisations should be made 48 hours before movement to enable the Theatre to properly plan and provide appropriate security.

“I urge this partnership to be maintained,” he said.

Abubakar also paid tribute to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for its specialised capacity-building support to Operation HADIN KAI.

He said the organisation had provided valuable assistance to the Theatre both within and outside Nigeria, particularly in areas relating to professionalism, International Humanitarian Law and protection of civilians.

He singled out the ICRC’s support for improving detainee management at the Joint Interrogation Centre, saying the intervention had strengthened the Theatre’s handling of persons in custody.

According to him, the improvements recorded in detainee management contributed to commendations received by OPHK both locally and internationally.

He acknowledged that the relationship between the military and humanitarian community had sometimes experienced disagreements, but said the ability to resolve such issues through dialogue remained one of the major achievements of the partnership.

“I know our relationship with the humanitarian partners has not been without friction, but the honest dialogue we have built is itself an achievement, and I enjoin you to protect it,” Abubakar said.

The outgoing commander also expressed appreciation to Team HADIN KAI, describing its integration into OPHK since May 8, 2026, as a strategic partnership that had strengthened the Theatre’s intelligence-led operations.

He said the team had supported precision targeting, non-kinetic operations and capacity building, thereby improving the Theatre’s common operational picture.

Abubakar cited the May 15, 2026 operation at Metele, which he said resulted in the neutralisation of Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, identified in his speech as the ISIS second-in-command, as a notable outcome of the partnership.

He said the collaboration had enhanced the professionalism and effectiveness of OPHK’s counter-terrorism efforts.

The outgoing Theatre Commander also acknowledged the contribution of the British Defence Staff – West Africa, particularly in strengthening OPHK’s combat capabilities and Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) capacity.

He said British military advisers had contributed expertise, capacity building and equipment support.

Abubakar noted that the partnership had recently expanded to direct engagement with Forward Operating Bases, including support for defensive measures, tactical drone deployment and improved surveillance.

He urged his successor to build upon and further consolidate the relationship.

Partnership linked to return of displaced persons

Abubakar’s commendation of the government and humanitarian organisations came against the backdrop of significant progress in the return and resettlement of displaced populations.

He disclosed that more than 7,000 displaced families had returned to their ancestral communities across Borno State during his tenure.

He said communities that had remained abandoned for years were gradually being reoccupied, with returned communities now present in every Local Government Area of the state.

The Theatre also facilitated the rescue of 638 civilians from terrorist enclaves, while all 46 students involved in the attempted abduction at the Federal Government Girls College, Monguno, were safely rescued.

He further highlighted the voluntary, safe and dignified repatriation of more than 3,000 Nigerians from Cameroon, carried out through the collaboration of the Borno State Government, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

According to Abubakar, these developments demonstrated that security operations, humanitarian intervention and government support were mutually reinforcing components of the wider effort to restore normalcy.

The outgoing Theatre Commander also appreciated other security agencies, hybrid forces and what he described as the “friends of OPHK” for their support throughout his tenure.

He said their information, cooperation and encouragement had helped shape collective efforts toward fulfilling the Theatre’s mandate.

Abubakar said the fight against insurgency required more than military operations, stressing that sustainable recovery depended on the combined efforts of security agencies, government institutions, humanitarian organisations and communities.

As he handed over the Theatre to the incoming 16th Theatre Commander, Maj.-Gen. Ibikunle Ajose, Abubakar appealed to all partners to sustain the cooperation that had characterised his tenure.

He said the partnership between OPHK and its stakeholders had contributed significantly to the gradual return of normalcy, including the reopening of markets and trade routes, resumption of educational activities and the return of displaced families to their ancestral homes.

He urged all partners to give Ajose the same openness, cooperation and goodwill extended to him, saying the consolidation of peace in the North-East would depend heavily on maintaining the partnerships built over the years.

“No theatre in the country enjoys a stronger partnership than the one we enjoyed with Borno State Government” — Maj Gen Abubakar