A new commander has been appointed to lead counterterrorism operations in northeastern Nigeria. Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar will now head efforts in the region, as announced in a press release by the Nigerian Armed Forces.

He replaces Major General Waidi Shaibu, with the official handover ceremony taking place at the command headquarters in Maiduguri, Borno State.

During his farewell, General Shaibu thanked officers and personnel for their cooperation while he was in command. He emphasized the importance of continuing to fight with dedication and professionalism in honor of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. General Shaibu also called on the troops to extend the same level of support and loyalty to his successor.

Before his new appointment in Borno State, Abubakar served as the head of training at the National Defence College. He has considerable experience in military operations within the region, including leading tactical teams and overseeing a number of counterterrorism missions.

Nigeria has faced ongoing terrorist attacks for years, particularly in the northeast. The militant group Boko Haram, which emerged in Nigeria in 2009, remains especially active in the area. Subsequent conflicts involving other jihadist groups have resulted in more than 40,000 deaths and displaced nearly two million people.

Earlier in April, militants from the ISWAP group killed 15 people at a funeral in the village of Kwapele, Borno State. At the start of the month, the Nigerian military also began manufacturing its own aerial bombs and drones.