The fight against Boko Haram has proven to be one that many leaders have been unable to conquer. Given that it is a difficult battle, will the new Major General be up to the task?
Nigeria has recently named its fifth commander in less than 2 years to lead the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency. According to military sources, the move is related to the continued attacks by Islamic. the army said on Saturday, a move military sources say was related to continued attacks by Islamists.
With the new changes, the army in a statement said that Major General Benson Akinroluyo will now replace Major General Abba Dikko, who in July took over command of Operation Lafiya Dole.
Other changes in redeployment have seen Dikko move to the Department of Civil Military Affairs to fill the position of Chief of Civil Military Affairs.
“The Nigerian Army has redeployed some of its officers from Operation Lafiya Dole, Operation Delta Safe, as well as over stayed officers from the theater as part of routine posting,” the army said in the statement.
Two military officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Dikko was redeployed because of attacks by Islamists since he took over. Since his appointment is July, dozens of Nigerian troops have been killed in battles with militants and ISWA killed two abducted aid workers.
An army spokesman did not respond to text messages and phone calls seeking further details on the decision to replace Dikko as the head of the fight against Islamists just months after he took the role.
The frequent attacks could affect President Muhammadu Buhari’s chances of re-election in the next February 2019 general election. In 2015, President Buhari campaigned and vowed to end the insurgency but hasn’t been able to as the conflict is entering its 10th year with attacks from Boko Haram and a group that splintered from it, the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA).
Do you think a change in the army will help end the fight against Boko Haram?