The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved a major redeployment of senior officers across the Nigerian Army in a move aimed at strengthening operational efficiency and improving the nation’s security architecture.
The development was announced in a statement issued on Saturday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele. According to the statement, the latest postings form part of the Army’s ongoing transformation agenda designed to enhance operational effectiveness, improve leadership across strategic formations, and bolster the force’s capacity to tackle evolving security threats nationwide.
The reshuffle affects several field commanders, commandants of military institutions, and principal staff officers at Army Headquarters.
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.
Major General EI Okoro has been 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.
Major General JR Lar will now serve as Commander of Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola has been appointed Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I Waziri will continue in his role as Chief of Staff to the Chief of Army Staff.
To further strengthen operational leadership, Brigadier General IB Buhari has been posted as Commander of Headquarters 63 Brigade, while Brigadier General K Rabiu takes over as Commander of Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.
In line with the Army’s growing emphasis on technology and emerging security threats, Major General SA Emmanuel has been appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command. Meanwhile, Major General O Adegbe assumes office as Director of Intelligence and Security at Defence Headquarters.
The reshuffle also covers key 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 named Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, while Major General FS Etim takes over as Chief of Training at the Headquarters, Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA). Brigadier General U Ahmad has also been appointed Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
Among other appointments, Major General KO Ukandu will serve as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited (PHDL), while Major General AI Allison has been appointed Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.
Lieutenant General Shaibu urged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence placed in them by demonstrating professionalism, exemplary leadership, innovation, and dedication to the Nigerian Army’s constitutional responsibility of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, safeguarding its territorial integrity, and supporting civil authorities in maintaining peace and security.
The statement added that the Nigerian Army remains committed to its transformation agenda of building a highly professional, combat-ready, and people-oriented force capable of effectively responding to current and future security challenges in line with the country’s national security objectives.