The Nigerian Army has carried out a major shake-up of its senior command structure, redeploying 15 generals and appointing a new commander to lead military operations against Boko Haram and its Islamic state-backed faction in the North-East. At the center of the changes is Major General Ibikunle Ademola Ajose, who has been named the new commander of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai. He moves from his previous role at the Department of Army Operations, Army headquarters in Abuja, to take charge of one of the military’s most critical operational theatres.&nbsp;Maj. Gen. Ajose replaces Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, the 15th commander of Operation Hadin Kai, who assumed the position in April 2025. Abubakar has now been posted to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, where he will serve as Dean of the Faculty of Operational Research. The redeployment was approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu. According to the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the exercise is designed to strengthen operational effectiveness, improve leadership and align command structures with Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.&nbsp;The Army said the reshuffle was not linked to any specific recent attacks in the North-East, but comes at a time when insecurity remains a major national concern ahead of presidential elections scheduled for January. The insurgency led by Boko Haram and its splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, has killed more than 40,000 people and displaced millions since it began in 2009, according to data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. Security challenges have previously disrupted voting in parts of the North-East and are expected to be a key issue in the next polls.&nbsp;Other senior officers affected by the redeployment include Major General AM Alechenu, moved from the Defence headquarters Garrison to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, and Major General RT Utsaha, redeployed from the Department of Army Standards to take over as Commander, Defence Headquarters Garrison. Col. Anele said the changes were intended to place the right leadership, experience and expertise in strategic and operational positions across formations, training institutions and frontline commands.&nbsp;Operation Hadin Kai remains the military’s primary campaign against insurgents in Borno, Yobe and parts of Adamawa. The command has seen several leadership changes in recent years as the Army continues efforts to reinvigorate the counter-terrorism fight.



The Army said the reshuffle was not linked to any specific recent attacks in the North-East, but comes at a time when insecurity remains a major national concern ahead of presidential elections scheduled for January

The Nigerian Army has carried out a major shake-up of its senior command structure, redeploying 15 generals and appointing a new commander to lead military operations against Boko Haram and its Islamic state-backed faction in the North-East. At the center of the changes is Major General Ibikunle Ademola Ajose, who has been named the new commander of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai. He moves from his previous role at the Department of Army Operations, Army headquarters in Abuja, to take charge of one of the military’s most critical operational theatres. Maj. Gen. Ajose replaces Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, the 15th commander of Operation Hadin Kai, who assumed the position in April 2025. Abubakar has now been posted to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, where he will serve as Dean of the Faculty of Operational Research. The redeployment was approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu. According to the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the exercise is designed to strengthen operational effectiveness, improve leadership and align command structures with Nigeria’s evolving security challenges. The Army said the reshuffle was not linked to any specific recent attacks in the North-East, but comes at a time when insecurity remains a major national concern ahead of presidential elections scheduled for January. The insurgency led by Boko Haram and its splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, has killed more than 40,000 people and displaced millions since it began in 2009, according to data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. Security challenges have previously disrupted voting in parts of the North-East and are expected to be a key issue in the next polls. Other senior officers affected by the redeployment include Major General AM Alechenu, moved from the Defence headquarters Garrison to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, and Major General RT Utsaha, redeployed from the Department of Army Standards to take over as Commander, Defence Headquarters Garrison. Col. Anele said the changes were intended to place the right leadership, experience and expertise in strategic and operational positions across formations, training institutions and frontline commands. Operation Hadin Kai remains the military’s primary campaign against insurgents in Borno, Yobe and parts of Adamawa. The command has seen several leadership changes in recent years as the Army continues efforts to reinvigorate the counter-terrorism fight.

The Army said the reshuffle was not linked to any specific recent attacks in the North-East, but comes at a time when insecurity remains a major national concern ahead of presidential elections scheduled for January 2027

Nigerian Army redeploys top generals, names new commander for North-East operations

Eighty-five civilians were killed in a village in Nigeria's Kaduna State after an army drone was accidentally fired at them. According to a report by the news agency AFP on Tuesday (Dec 5), the army acknowledged that one of its drones aimed at armed groups had accidentally struck the Tudun Biri village as residents were celebrating a festival.

Eighty-five civilians were killed in a village in Nigeria's Kaduna State after an army drone was accidentally fired at them. According to a report by the news agency AFP on Tuesday (Dec 5), the army acknowledged that one of its drones aimed at armed groups had accidentally struck the Tudun Biri village as residents were celebrating a festival. The army did not give details about how many people died, but residents said that the death toll was 85. In a statement, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said, "The Northwest Zonal Office has received details from the local authorities that 85 dead bodies have so far been buried while the search is still ongoing." NEMA said that 66 people were injured and were being treated at a hospital. Most of the killed civilians were women, children, and elderly who had been celebrating Maulud — a Muslim festival. President Tinubu orders investigation On Tuesday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered an investigation into the incident. "President Tinubu describes the incident as very unfortunate, disturbing, and painful, expressing indignation and grief over the tragic loss of Nigerian lives," the presidency said in a statement. AFP reported that the Nigerian armed forces often rely on airstrikes in their battle against militias in the northwest and northeast of the country, where jihadists have been fighting for over 10 years. The army said on Tuesday that its drone (which accidentally struck villagers) was on a routine mission. Speaking to AFP, resident Idris Dahiru said, "I was inside the house when the first bomb was dropped... We rushed to the scene to help those affected and then a second bomb was dropped." "My aunt, my brother's wife, and her six children, wives of my four brothers were among the dead. My elder brother's family are all dead, except his infant child who survived," Dahiru added. In the past, military bombing raids have accidentally hit civilians. In September 2021, at least 20 fishermen were killed and several injured in an attack in Kwatar Daban Masara on Lake Chad, when the military mistook them for militants. In 2017, at least 112 people were killed when a fighter jet struck a camp housing 40,000 people displaced by jihadist violence in the town of Rann. (With inputs from agencies)

Nigeria: Army drone strikes civilians accidently, kills 85; president orders investigation

Nigerian authorities have arrested five activists who were organising a an anti-government protest, severely beating the most prominent of them Omoyele Sowore, his lawyer said Saturday.

Sowore's lawyer Femi Falana demanded his client's immediate release following the arrests in the capital Abuja overnight December 31, adding that he had been placed in a dangerous section of a notorious prison.

The police officers who arrested Sowore, who is also a journalist, "subjected him to severe beating and left him with bruises all over his body," Falana told AFP.&nbsp;

"As if that was not enough he has been locked up in the midst of armed robbery suspects at a notorious detention facility called 'abattoir'," the lawyer said.

Several hours before his arrest, the opposition leader issued a tweet calling on Nigerians to march in the street to denounce bad governance in Nigeria.

Contacted by AFP, the police confirmed the arrests took place just after the New Year began.&nbsp;

The FCT police command arrested the five activists at 12:30 am on January 1 in a "swift response to a distress call received from some tensed residents" over "an unusual gathering and movement," the police said.

The five suspects were arrested for "unlawfully gathering at very odd hours, thereby causing palpable tension amongst the residents of Gudu and Lokogoma areas of the FCT," regional police spokeswoman Mariam Yusuf told AFP.

A candidate for president in February 2019, Sowore, 49, was arrested on August 1, 2019 for having called for a mass demonstration, "Revolution Now."

A harsh critic of president Muhammadu Buhari, he is also the founder of the online newspaper Sahara Reporters, which touts itself as an independent investigative media outlet.

He was released in December 2019, but remained accused of treason, money laundering, and cyber harassment of the head of state.

At the time, civil society, some media organisations and the opposition denounced a tilt toward heavy-handed security that they said recalled the years of military dictatorship the country experienced before the advent of democracy in 1999.

In October Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, experienced an unprecedented youth movement against police violence and state authority.

The protests were crushed, spilling blood, according to several human rights group. They degenerated into a week of riots and looting in several major cities of the country. 
&nbsp;

Nigerian authorities have arrested five activists who were organising a an anti-government protest, severely beating the most prominent of them Omoyele Sowore, his lawyer said Saturday.

Nigerian authorities have arrested five activists who were organising a an anti-government protest, severely beating the most prominent of them Omoyele Sowore, his lawyer said Saturday. Sowore's lawyer Femi Falana demanded his client's immediate release following the arrests in the capital Abuja overnight December 31, adding that he had been placed in a dangerous section of a notorious prison. The police officers who arrested Sowore, who is also a journalist, "subjected him to severe beating and left him with bruises all over his body," Falana told AFP. "As if that was not enough he has been locked up in the midst of armed robbery suspects at a notorious detention facility called 'abattoir'," the lawyer said. Several hours before his arrest, the opposition leader issued a tweet calling on Nigerians to march in the street to denounce bad governance in Nigeria. Contacted by AFP, the police confirmed the arrests took place just after the New Year began. The FCT police command arrested the five activists at 12:30 am on January 1 in a "swift response to a distress call received from some tensed residents" over "an unusual gathering and movement," the police said. The five suspects were arrested for "unlawfully gathering at very odd hours, thereby causing palpable tension amongst the residents of Gudu and Lokogoma areas of the FCT," regional police spokeswoman Mariam Yusuf told AFP. A candidate for president in February 2019, Sowore, 49, was arrested on August 1, 2019 for having called for a mass demonstration, "Revolution Now." A harsh critic of president Muhammadu Buhari, he is also the founder of the online newspaper Sahara Reporters, which touts itself as an independent investigative media outlet. He was released in December 2019, but remained accused of treason, money laundering, and cyber harassment of the head of state. At the time, civil society, some media organisations and the opposition denounced a tilt toward heavy-handed security that they said recalled the years of military dictatorship the country experienced before the advent of democracy in 1999. In October Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, experienced an unprecedented youth movement against police violence and state authority. The protests were crushed, spilling blood, according to several human rights group. They degenerated into a week of riots and looting in several major cities of the country.

Nigeria arrests journalist and opposition leader Sowore

Some 250 people who were arrested and held on suspicion of links to Boko Haram Islamists have been released and given $10, Nigeria&#39;s army said today. 
 
&quot;Yesterday (Sunday), a total of 249 cleared suspected Boko Haram terrorists and accomplices were released as approved by the chief of army staff in Maiduguri,&quot; said army spokesman Sani Usman. 
 
Colonel Usman said in a statement that those released included 169 men, 46 women and 34 children.&nbsp;They were handed over to the Borno state government in northeast Nigeria and told &quot;to remain law-abiding and go about their lawful business&quot;, he added.&nbsp;&quot;Each of them was given a token of N3,000 (naira, $10.40),&quot; he said. 
 
It was not stated how long they were all held in custody. 
 
Most of those held were from Borno, epicentre of the violence that has claimed at least 20,000 lives and made more than 2.6 million homeless since 2009.&nbsp;But one came from Lagos, 1,200 kilometres away in the southwest, and two from neighbouring Cameroon. 
 
Nigeria&#39;s military has been repeatedly criticised for the arbitrary detention of civilians during the seven-year Boko Haram insurgency in the remote region.&nbsp;Human rights groups have accused the army of keeping suspects in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, and have said many have died from disease, hunger, dehydration and injury. 
 
In May this year, Amnesty International called for one military detention facility in Maiduguri to be shut down after nearly 150 people, among them babies and children, died in custody.&nbsp;Troops have also been accused of carrying out torture and summary executions.&nbsp;Security analysts say arbitrary detention has robbed the military of key on-the-ground intelligence from local people as sweeping arrests have led to hostility and resentment. 
 
In February, 275 detainees were freed, including 50 children. Amnesty said none had been brought before a court or allowed access to lawyers while in detention. 
 
(AFP)

Those released included 169 men, 46 women and 34 children. They were handed over to the Borno state government in northeast Nigeria

Some 250 people who were arrested and held on suspicion of links to Boko Haram Islamists have been released and given $10, Nigeria's army said today. "Yesterday (Sunday), a total of 249 cleared suspected Boko Haram terrorists and accomplices were released as approved by the chief of army staff in Maiduguri," said army spokesman Sani Usman. Colonel Usman said in a statement that those released included 169 men, 46 women and 34 children. They were handed over to the Borno state government in northeast Nigeria and told "to remain law-abiding and go about their lawful business", he added. "Each of them was given a token of N3,000 (naira, $10.40)," he said. It was not stated how long they were all held in custody. Most of those held were from Borno, epicentre of the violence that has claimed at least 20,000 lives and made more than 2.6 million homeless since 2009. But one came from Lagos, 1,200 kilometres away in the southwest, and two from neighbouring Cameroon. Nigeria's military has been repeatedly criticised for the arbitrary detention of civilians during the seven-year Boko Haram insurgency in the remote region. Human rights groups have accused the army of keeping suspects in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, and have said many have died from disease, hunger, dehydration and injury. In May this year, Amnesty International called for one military detention facility in Maiduguri to be shut down after nearly 150 people, among them babies and children, died in custody. Troops have also been accused of carrying out torture and summary executions. Security analysts say arbitrary detention has robbed the military of key on-the-ground intelligence from local people as sweeping arrests have led to hostility and resentment. In February, 275 detainees were freed, including 50 children. Amnesty said none had been brought before a court or allowed access to lawyers while in detention. (AFP)

Nigerian army releases Boko Haram suspects, gives them $10

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Nigerian Army redeploys top generals, names new commander for North-East operations

Nigeria: Army drone strikes civilians accidently, kills 85; president orders investigation

Nigeria arrests journalist and opposition leader Sowore

Nigerian army releases Boko Haram suspects, gives them $10