Nigeria has appointed Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar as the new commander in the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the northeast, following a surge in attacks that have killed civilians and soldiers. The insurgents have escalated tactics, including the use of drones and explosive devices, raising concerns over their resurgence. Borno State's governor expressed worry over the loss of ground in the region.

Nigeria has appointed a new commander to lead its efforts in combating insurgency in the northeast following a rise in attacks over the past four months, which have resulted in the deaths of several civilians and soldiers. Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar has been named the 15th commander in the ongoing battle against Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents in the region, according to a statement by Reuben Kovangiya, spokesperson for the operation.

Abubakar brings significant experience to the role, having previously served as the deputy commandant of the Nigerian Defence College and as the commander of a major security operation in north-central Nigeria. The appointment comes amid a marked increase in attacks by Boko Haram and its splinter faction, ISWAP, in recent weeks. These heightened assaults have raised concerns about a potential resurgence of the insurgents, who are now employing increasingly sophisticated tactics, including the use of armed drones and explosive devices placed along major roads, according to security experts.

In a recent deadly attack, ISWAP claimed responsibility for an assault on Borno state that resulted in at least 26 fatalities, as reported by the group in a statement on Telegram. The insurgents have been waging an ongoing conflict against security forces in the northeast for over 15 years, frequently utilizing improvised explosive devices to target both civilians and military personnel. Despite the uptick in violence, the army has not directly linked the recent surge in attacks to the new appointment.

Borno State Governor Babangida Zulum expressed concern over the situation, noting that the continued frequency of Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings in various communities, often occurring without confrontation, signals a troubling loss of ground in Borno State. This statement was made earlier this month during a meeting with security officials.