The Nigerian Army has announced a major reshuffle of senior officers, with changes affecting operational, command, training and administrative appointments across the force.
The redeployments were approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, as part of efforts to strengthen national security and improve operational effectiveness, according to a statement issued Saturday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele.
The statement said the reshuffle affects field commanders, commandants of military institutions and principal staff officers at Army Headquarters.
Under the new appointments, Maj. Gen. WM Dangana was named General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, replacing Maj. Gen. EF Oyinlola.
Maj. Gen. EI Okoro was appointed General Officer Commanding 6 Division and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE, succeeding Maj. Gen. EE Emeka.
Maj. Gen. JR Lar was appointed Commander of Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brig. Gen. OM Oyekola was named Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brig. Gen. I Waziri retained his position as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff.
The Army also appointed Brig. Gen. IB Buhari as Commander of Headquarters 63 Brigade and Brig. Gen. K Rabiu as Commander of Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.
In a move aimed at strengthening technology-driven security operations, Maj. Gen. SA Emmanuel was appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command.
The statement said the appointment reflects the Army’s increasing focus on emerging domains of warfare and technology-based security operations.
Maj. Gen. O Adegbe was also appointed Director of Intelligence and Security at Defence Headquarters.
In the area of military education, Maj. Gen. KE Chigbu was named Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College, while Maj. Gen. SD Makolo was appointed Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armour School.
Other appointments include Maj. Gen. SO Adejimi as Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, Maj. Gen. FS Etim as Chief of Training at the Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command, and Brig. Gen. U Ahmad as Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
The reshuffle also saw Maj. Gen. KO Ukandu appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Ltd., while Maj. Gen. AI Allison was named Managing Director of Defence Properties Ltd.
Shaibu urged the newly appointed officers to demonstrate professionalism, innovation and effective leadership in carrying out their responsibilities.
According to the statement, the Army remains committed to building a professional, combat-ready and people-oriented force capable of addressing current and emerging security challenges across the country.
