Army Reshuffles Senior Officers to Boost Operational Effectiveness, National Security
The Nigerian Army has announced a major reshuffle of its senior leadership, with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, approving fresh appointments across key operational, command, training and staff positions as part of efforts to enhance operational effectiveness and strengthen national security.
The strategic redeployment, announced on Friday, affects several field commanders, principal staff officers at the Army Headquarters and commandants of key military institutions. The move is aimed at consolidating the Army’s capacity to tackle emerging security threats while sustaining its ongoing transformation drive.
Under the new appointments, Major General WM Dangana has been named the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, succeeding Major General EF Oyinlola. Similarly, 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 duty as Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I Waziri retains his position as Chief of Staff to the COAS.
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In further operational deployments, Brigadier General IB Buhari has been appointed Commander, Headquarters 63 Brigade, while Brigadier General K Rabiu takes command of Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade. Major General SA Emmanuel has been named Commander, Nigerian Army Space Command, underscoring the Army’s increasing emphasis on technology-driven security operations and emerging domains of warfare.
Also, Major General O Adegbe has been appointed Director of Intelligence and Security at the Defence Headquarters.
The reshuffle also affected key military training and educational institutions. 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. Major General SO Adejimi has been posted as Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, while Major General FS Etim assumes office as Chief of Training at the Headquarters, Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA). Brigadier General U Ahmad has also been appointed Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
In the housing and infrastructure sector, Major General KO Ukandu has been appointed Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited (PHDL), while Major General AI Allison takes over as Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.
Charging the newly appointed senior officers, the Chief of Army Staff urged them 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 Army reiterated its commitment to building a highly professional, combat-ready and people-oriented force capable of effectively addressing both current and future security challenges in line with Nigeria’s national security objectives.