Nigeria: Ibikunle Ajose appointed to lead operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP

The Nigerian army appointed Major General Ibikunle Ademola Ajose on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, to head the Northeast Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, which conducts operations against Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). This appointment comes as part of a reshuffle involving fifteen general officers, according to a statement from the army.

Ibikunle Ajose leaves the Operations Department at army headquarters in Abuja to succeed Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar. Abubakar, who had commanded Operation Hadin Kai since April 2025, is reassigned to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre as the dean of the Faculty of Operational Research.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, approved these redeployments to enhance operational effectiveness, the chain of command, and the positioning of experienced officers in key operational theaters. Nine major generals and six brigadier generals are affected by this movement.

The army did not link this change of command to any specific attack. However, it comes at a time when insecurity remains a major issue in Nigeria, just months ahead of the presidential election scheduled for January 2027, following years of jihadist insurgency, armed banditry, and kidnappings in several regions of the country.

A command at the heart of the anti-jihadist fight

Operation Hadin Kai is the main military framework for Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the northeast. The insurgency, which began in 2009, has resulted in over 40,000 deaths and displaced millions, according to data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project cited by Reuters.

The new commander has previously held operational responsibilities in northwest Nigeria. Before his tenure at army headquarters, Ibikunle Ajose notably led the 8th Division and Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, based in Sokoto.

The reshuffle also affects several strategic positions. Major General AM Umar has been appointed commander of the Army War College Nigeria, while Major General RT Utsaha takes charge of the Defense Headquarters garrison. Other officers are redeployed to military pension structures, civil-military affairs, and various operational brigades.

Waidi Shaibu urged the newly appointed officers to demonstrate professionalism, operational innovation, and commitment in their new roles, while reminding them of the army’s mission in defending the territory and supporting civil authorities.