Nigeria Names New Commander Following Northeast Violence Surge

September 7, 2025

A policeman walks past a car burnt by supporters of an imprisoned leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) Ibrahim Zakzaky around the national assembly building in Nigeria's capital Abuja, on July 9, 2019. - Supporters of an imprisoned Shiite cleric clashed on July 8, 2019 with security forces around Nigeria's parliament building, leaving a number of wounded, including two police, the authorities and witneses said. Two officers were shot in the legs and six others hit with clubs and stones as members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) tried to "force their way into the National Assembly," police said. (Photo by KOLA SULAIMON / AFP)

Nigeria has named a new commander in its ongoing battle against insurgency in the northeast following a resurgence of attacks in the past four months that have resulted in numerous civilian and military casualties in the area.

The military has designated Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar as its 15th commander in the efforts against Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency in the northeast, according to Reuben Kovangiya, spokesperson for the operation.

Abubakar has previously served as the deputy commandant of the Nigerian Defence College and led a significant security operation in north-central Nigeria.

Nigeria Names New Commander Following Northeast Militant Surge

In recent weeks, Boko Haram and its splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa Province, have ramped up their assaults in northeast Nigeria. These attacks have sparked concerns about a potential resurgence of the terrorists, who are now employing tactics that include armed drones and explosives hidden on major roads, according to security experts.

On Tuesday, ISWAP acknowledged responsibility for an attack in Borno state that resulted in the deaths of at least 26 people, the group said in a statement on Telegram.

The terrorists have been battling security forces for over 15 years in the northeast and often use improvised explosive devices to attack civilians and security forces.

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Abdulateef Ahmed

Abdulateef Ahmed, Digital News Editor and; Research Lead, is a self-driven researcher with exceptional editorial skills. He's a literary bon vivant keenly interested in green energy, food systems, mining, macroeconomics, big data, African political economy, and aviation..