The Nigerian Army has announced a major redeployment of senior officers across operational, command, training and administrative positions as part of efforts to strengthen national security and improve operational effectiveness.
The reshuffle, approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, affects General Officers Commanding, brigade commanders, school commandants and principal staff officers at Army Headquarters.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, who said the redeployment is aimed at repositioning the Army to respond more effectively to emerging security threats.
Among the key appointments, Major General WM Dangana has been named General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, succeeding Major General EF Oyinlola.
Major General EI Okoro was appointed General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE, replacing Major General EE Emeka.
The Army also appointed Major General JR Lar as Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola was named Acting Military Secretary. Brigadier General I Waziri retained his position as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff.
Other operational appointments include Brigadier General IB Buhari as Commander of Headquarters 63 Brigade and Brigadier General K Rabiu as Commander of Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.
In a move reflecting the Army’s growing emphasis on technology-driven security operations, Major General SA Emmanuel was appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command.
The reshuffle also saw Major General O Adegbe appointed Director of Intelligence and Security at Defence Headquarters.
Within the training and education sector, Major General KE Chigbu was named Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College, while Major General SD Makolo became Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armour School.
Also appointed were Major General SO Adejimi as Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, Major General FS Etim as Chief of Training at Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command, and Brigadier General U Ahmad as Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
In addition, Major General KO Ukandu was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited, while Major General AI Allison will serve as Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.
The Chief of Army Staff urged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence placed in them by demonstrating exemplary leadership, professionalism, innovation and dedication to the Army’s constitutional mandate of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authorities in maintaining peace and security.
The Army reaffirmed its commitment to building a professional, combat-ready and people-oriented force capable of addressing both current and emerging security challenges across the country.
