By Deborah Nnamdi
The Nigerian Army has announced a major reshuffle of its senior officers, with new appointments and redeployments affecting key operational, command, training and administrative positions across the country.
The changes, approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, are aimed at strengthening operational effectiveness and enhancing the Army’s capacity to tackle emerging security challenges.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said the redeployment involved field commanders, commandants of military institutions and principal staff officers at Army Headquarters.
Among the appointments, Major General WM Dangana was named General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, replacing Major General EF Oyinlola.
Major General EI Okoro was appointed GOC 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE, succeeding Major General EE Emeka.
Major General JR Lar was appointed Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola was named Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I Waziri retained his position as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff.
To strengthen operational leadership, Brigadier General IB Buhari was appointed Commander of Headquarters 63 Brigade, while Brigadier General K Rabiu was named Commander of Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.
In a move highlighting the Army’s growing emphasis on technology-driven security operations, Major General SA Emmanuel was appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command. The Army said the appointment reinforces its focus on emerging domains of warfare and modern security operations.
Major General O Adegbe was also appointed Director of Intelligence and Security at the Defence Headquarters.
The reshuffle also affected military training institutions. Major General KE Chigbu was appointed Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College, while Major General SD Makolo became Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armour School.
Major General SO Adejimi was named Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, while Major General FS Etim was appointed Chief of Training at the Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). Brigadier General U Ahmad was also appointed Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
In the Army’s corporate establishments, Major General KO Ukandu was named Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited, while Major General AI Allison was appointed Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.
Lieutenant General Shaibu urged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating exemplary leadership, professionalism, innovation and unwavering commitment to the Army’s constitutional mandate.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to building a highly professional, combat-ready and people-oriented force capable of effectively addressing current and future security challenges across the country.
