The Nigerian Army has announced a major reshuffle of its senior officers, with new appointments affecting key operational, command, training and administrative positions across the country.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele.
According to the statement, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, approved the strategic redeployment as part of efforts to strengthen national security and enhance the Army’s operational effectiveness in tackling emerging security threats.
The Army said the reshuffle affects field commanders, commandants of military institutions and principal staff officers at the Army Headquarters.
Under the new postings, Major General WM Dangana has been appointed 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 will now serve as 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 has been appointed Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola assumes office as Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I Waziri retains his position as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff.
To strengthen operational leadership, Brigadier General IB Buhari has been appointed Commander of Headquarters 63 Brigade, while Brigadier General K Rabiu takes over as Commander of Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.
In a move aimed at enhancing technology-driven military operations, Major General SA Emmanuel has been appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command.
The Army said the appointment underscores its increasing focus on emerging domains of warfare and technology-based security operations.
Major General O Adegbe was also named Director of Intelligence and Security at the Defence Headquarters.
In the area of military education, Major General KE Chigbu has been appointed Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College, while Major General SD Makolo becomes Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armour School.
Other appointments include Major General SO Adejimi as Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, Major General FS Etim as Chief of Training at the Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), and Brigadier General U Ahmad as Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
The reshuffle also saw Major General KO Ukandu appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited, while Major General AI Allison was named Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.
The Chief of Army Staff charged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence reposed in them through exemplary leadership, professionalism and dedication to the Army’s constitutional responsibility of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and maintaining peace and security.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to building a highly professional, combat-ready and people-oriented force capable of effectively addressing both current and future security challenges.
