The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has approved a major leadership reshuffle, redeploying 19 senior officers in a strategic move aimed at boosting operational efficiency, strengthening national security and enhancing the Nigerian Army’s response to emerging security threats.
The redeployment affects General Officers Commanding (GOCs), field commanders, commandants of military institutions and principal staff officers at Army Headquarters.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, Major General W.M. Dangana has been appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace, succeeding Major General E.F. Oyinlola. Major General E.I. Okoro will now serve as GOC 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force South-South Operation Delta Safe, replacing Major General E.E. Emeka.
Major General J.R. Lar has been posted as Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General O.M. Oyekola assumes office as Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I. Waziri will continue as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff.
To reinforce frontline operations and improve combat readiness, Brigadier General I.B. Buhari has been appointed Commander, Headquarters 63 Brigade, while Brigadier General K. Rabiu takes over Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.
In line with the Army’s growing emphasis on technology-driven warfare, Major General S.A. Emmanuel has been appointed Commander, Nigerian Army Space Command, while Major General O. Adegbe becomes Director of Intelligence and Security at Defence Headquarters.
The reshuffle also covers key military institutions. Major General K.E. Chigbu has been named Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College, Major General S.D. Makolo takes over as Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armour School, while Major General S.O. Adejimi becomes Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport. Major General F.S. Etim has been appointed Chief of Training at the Headquarters, Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC), and Brigadier General U. Ahmad will serve as Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
Other appointments include Major General K.O. Ukandu as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited, and Major General A.I. Allison as Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.
Lt.-Gen. Shaibu urged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence placed in them by demonstrating professionalism, innovation and unwavering commitment to the Nigerian Army’s constitutional responsibility of defending the nation’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authorities in maintaining peace and security.
