The Nigerian military has started making tactical adjustments to its operations in reaction to resurgent attacks in Borno, Plateau, and other areas.
In the days ahead, the Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Navy are anticipated to join the reorganization, which began Monday with the Nigerian Army. To support current operations, senior military officers have already been redeployed.
The Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna and the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State are two of the senior commanders impacted.
Major General A.K. Ibrahim has been named the new Commandant of the NDA, and Major General A.E. Abubakar has been appointed the new Theatre Commander of OPHK. The redeployed commanders are anticipated to report for duty following the Easter holidays, military sources informed Daily Trust.
The outgoing Theatre Commander, Major General Shuaibu Waidi, has only succeeded Major General Gold Chibuisi on January 30, 2024. Maintaining the battle against ISWAP and Boko Haram in the northeast was the main goal of his term.
But worries about worsening security situations have remained. Babagana Zulum, the governor of Borno State, issued a warning last week that the state might revert to anarchy.
Numerous military installations were dislodged, particularly in Wajirko, Sabongari, and Wulgo, among other places. We need to talk about this since it appears that we are losing ground. During an extended Security Council meeting in Maiduguri, Zulum stated, “We are witnessing sporadic attacks in recent times, but peace has gradually returned to Borno within the last three years.”
Major General M.K. Gara, Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE, K.O. Ukandu, and Major General B.I. Alaya, now Director-General of DICON, are among the other redeployments.
NAF Bombards Terrorist Strongholds in Sambisa
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has intensified its air campaign in Borno State, targeting terrorist enclaves in the Sambisa Forest and Southern Tumbuns.
According to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, NAF spokesman, two successful airstrikes were carried out on known terrorist strongholds.
“The first strike occurred at approximately 5:30 a.m. in Kollaram, a known stronghold of insurgents,” he said, noting that surveillance and intelligence confirmed the presence of high-value terrorist commanders at the location.
“Several structures, some equipped with solar panels, were identified as active terrorist hubs. Nigerian Air Force assets carried out a precision strike on the location, eliminating several fighters and disabling key infrastructure,” he added.
A second strike was conducted at about 3:55 p.m. in Arra, Sambisa, following earlier reconnaissance that spotted large clusters of insurgents.
“Precision-guided munitions were employed, resulting in the effective destruction of targets and disruption of the group’s operational capabilities,” Ejodame stated.
“These back-to-back missions are part of a sustained air campaign designed to erode terrorist capabilities, dismantle leadership structures, and eliminate sanctuaries across Nigeria. The Nigerian Air Force remains committed to ensuring that no location within the country offers safe haven to terrorists,” he told journalists.
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