(SINL NIGERIA) The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved a strategic reshuffle of senior officers across key operational, command, training and staff appointments in the Nigerian Army as part of ongoing efforts to enhance operational effectiveness, strengthen national security and improve the Army’s capacity to tackle emerging security challenges across the country.
A statement on Saturday signed by Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele said the redeployment 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, Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, succeeding Major General EF Oyinlola. Major General EI Okoro takes over as GOC 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE, replacing 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 to the COAS.
Continuing, Colonel Anele said to strengthen operational leadership and force readiness, Brigadier General IB Buhari has been appointed Commander, Headquarters 63 Brigade, while Brigadier General K Rabiu takes command of Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.
In further appointments, Major General SA Emmanuel becomes Commander, Nigerian Army Space Command, while Major General O Adegbe has been named Director of Intelligence and Security at Defence Headquarters.
“The reshuffle also affects key training institutions. Major General KE Chigbu has been appointed Deputy Commandant, National Defence College; Major General SD Makolo becomes Commandant, Nigerian Army Armour School; Major General SO Adejimi takes over as Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport; while Major General FS Etim has been appointed Chief of Training at Headquarters, Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA). Brigadier General U Ahmad has also been appointed Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria”.
Other appointments include Major General KO Ukandu as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited (PHDL) and Major General AI Allison as Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.
The COAS charged the newly appointed senior officers to justify the confidence reposed in them through exemplary leadership, professionalism, innovation and unwavering commitment to the Nigerian Army’s constitutional responsibility of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authorities in maintaining peace and security.
The Nigerian Army said the reshuffle underscores its commitment to ongoing transformation, aimed at building a highly professional, combat-ready and people-oriented force capable of addressing both current and emerging security challenges across the country.
