UPDATED: New head of multinational force on Boko Haram appointed.

A new head of the multinational force on Boko Haram has been appointed.

The appointment was necessary because the former head, Brig-Gen. T. Y. Buratai, was appointed as the Chief of Army Staff by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The new commander, Major General Iliya Abbah, previously headed military operations in the Niger Delta, according to a military spokesman said.

The new force replaces the regional offensive that has scored a number of victories against the jihadists since February.

The multinational force has its headquarters at the Chadian capital, N’Djamena.
More details later.