The Nigerian Army has announced a major reshuffle of senior officers, affecting key operational, command, training and staff appointments across the country.
The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday.
According to Anele, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, approved the strategic redeployment to strengthen national security and improve the Army’s operational effectiveness.
“The postings affect field commanders, school commandants and principal staff officers at the Army Headquarters,” the statement said.
Under the reshuffle, Major General WM Dangana was appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, while Major General EI Okoro becomes GOC 6 Division and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE.
Major General JR Lar was named Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola was appointed Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I. Waziri retained his position as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff.
Other appointments include Brigadier General IB Buhari as Commander, Headquarters 63 Brigade; Brigadier General K. Rabiu as Commander, Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade; and Major General SA Emmanuel as Commander, Nigerian Army Space Command.
Major General O. Adegbe was appointed Director of Intelligence and Security at the Defence Headquarters, while Major General KE Chigbu becomes Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College.
The Army also appointed Major General SD Makolo as Commandant, Nigerian Army Armour School; Major General SO Adejimi as Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport; Major General FS Etim as Chief of Training at TRADOC; and Brigadier General U. Ahmad as Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
The reshuffle also saw Major General KO Ukandu appointed Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited, while Major General AI Allison was named Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.
The Army said the redeployment is aimed at enhancing its capacity to address emerging security challenges.
“The COAS charged the newly appointed senior officers to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating exemplary leadership, professionalism, innovation and unwavering commitment to the Nigerian Army’s constitutional mandate,” the statement added.
