The Nigerian military has appointed a new army commander amid the ongoing wave of deadly attacks in the Northeast.
Speaking to journalists, spokesperson for the operation, Reuben Kovangiya, announced that Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar has been appointed as the 15th commander of the Nigerian Army. His appointment comes at a time when violence in the region has intensified due to renewed insurgent attacks.
For over a decade, clashes between insurgents and security forces have plagued the Northeast, with militants frequently using improvised explosive devices to target both civilians and security personnel.
Despite the new appointment, the military did not directly link the appointment to the recent escalation in violence. Borno state majorly suffering most of the attacks launched by insurgents, is feared to have been seized by insurgents. “It is unfortunate that the renewed Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings in many communities, almost on a daily basis without confrontation, signalled that Borno State is losing ground,” Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum told security chiefs in wake of attacks in early April.
