The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has launched a manhunt for Lance Corporal Festus Igenkhai, a soldier declared absent without leave (AWOL), who has taken to TikTok under the pseudonym “EX Man” to accuse Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, the former Commander of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH), of bias during his tenure in Plateau State.
Igenkhai, who deserted his post on November 8, 2024, claims the general favoured Fulani communities over indigenous residents by allegedly drilling boreholes exclusively for them under the guise of Civil-Military Relations (CMR). However, the DHQ dismissed these claims, clarifying that the CMR initiatives were funded and directed by the Defence Headquarters, not OPSH, and benefitted both Fulani and native communities alike.
“If a borehole was dug in a Fulani settlement, the same was done in native areas,” General Abubakar said in a phone interview. “These projects were not from my personal funds; they were DHQ directives, fully financed by DHQ.”
In a statement, the Army described Igenkhai’s conduct as a breach of military discipline and social media policy. It noted that despite facing trial, the soldier absconded and began sharing defamatory videos designed to undermine senior officers and incite discontent within the ranks. His content was labelled as “inflammatory” and “riddled with half-truths and outright fabrications.”
Defending General Abubakar’s record, the statement praised his tenure in Plateau as a model of modern military leadership. It highlighted his use of both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies: town hall meetings, inter-agency collaboration, early warning systems, and youth-focused peace education.
“Under General Abubakar’s leadership, violent incidents in Plateau decreased sharply. Trust among divided ethnic and religious groups began to rebuild. His approach restored confidence in security forces and brought a new wave of calm to the region,” the statement noted.
Now serving as the 15th Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), General Abubakar is spearheading new strategies to counter insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast. With over a decade of operational, command, and instructional experience, he is regarded as a seasoned leader with the capacity to shift the dynamics in the ongoing fight against terrorism.
