Stakeholders disagrees with TikTok ‘Ex Man’ rant over former Plateau GOC, Abubakar
By Kingsley Chukwuka
Stakeholders including residents of Plateau State villagers, have swept under the carpet the alleged bias of the former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Maj-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, as peddled by soldier on AWOL, Lance Corporal Festus Igenkhai
Igenkhai has alleged that the former OPSH Commander took sides with the Fulanis against the natives of Plateau.
Responding, stakeholders dismissed the falsehood against the former GOC, saying that the State attained the peace currently being enjoyed today, by the efforts of Gen. Abubakar.
Speaking with our correspondent on Monday, during an assessment tour to profile and document the works executed by the former OPSH boss in order to be used as case study for future reference, stakeholders lauded the strategic efforts deployed by the General in the troubled zones of the State.
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Strategic meetings, partnerships, equal distributions of philanthropic gesture, top the lists of comments by stakeholders as the non-kinetic approach deployed by Abubakar to ensure peace.
No wonder he was immediately appointed as the 15th Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), based on his excellent performance in containing the long protracted crisis in the State.
Satisfied with his tireless efforts backed by strategic display of military intelligence, Abubakar was left by the Defence Headquarters to serve over a year in Plateau, against the regular one year tenure for every Task Force Commander deployed to troubled zones in the country, our correspondent reports.
Appointment As Theatre Commander:
When appointment as Theatre Commander, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said: “The appointment and assumption of command of Major General Abdulsalam Enesi Abubakar as the 15th Theatre Commander of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) is a strategic move that could potentially turn the tide in Nigeria’s fight against insurgency in the Northeast.
“With over a decade of operational, command, and instructional experience, Maj Gen Abubakar brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role. His impressive background, which includes serving as Commander Sector 3 OPHK and Multi-National Joint Task Force in Mungono, General Officer Commanding 7 Division/Commander Sector 1 OPHK Maiduguri, and General Officer Commanding 3 Division/Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN, demonstrates his familiarity with the complex security landscape of the region”, a statement from the DHQ said.
The AWOL Soldier Igenkhai Turned TikTok:
Absent without leave (AWOL), Festus Igenkhai, a lance corporal in the Nigerian Army, known online as “Ex-Man,” on his social media handle. has been declared wanted by the Nigerian Army after releasing a viral TikTok video urging President Bola Tinubu to hold the country’s service chiefs accountable for the persistent insecurity plaguing Nigeria.
It was learnt that Igenkhai, who reportedly deserted his post in November 2024, is under investigation for multiple breaches of military conduct, including desertion and violations of the Armed Forces’ strict social media policy.
His military records show that he was enlisted into the Army less than four years ago, our correspondent said.
