The Nigerian Army has approved a major reshuffle of its senior leadership, with 16 Major Generals and several Brigadier Generals redeployed to key command, operational and staff positions across the service.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, approved the postings as part of efforts to strengthen leadership in critical formations and improve the Army’s response to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
A major change sees Major General IA Ajose appointed Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK). Ajose moves to the position from the Army Headquarters Department of Army Operations.
His appointment places him at the helm of one of the Nigerian Army’s key operational theatres, where troops continue to conduct counter-insurgency operations in the North East.
Major General AE Abubakar, who previously served under OPHK, has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC) as Dean, Faculty of Operational Research. Major General AM Alechenu also moves from the Defence Headquarters Garrison to the NAHFC, while Major General RT Utsaha moves from the Army Headquarters Department of Army Standards and Evaluation to become Commander of the DHQ Garrison.
Other senior appointments include Major General AM Umar, who moves from the Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs to become Commandant of the Army War College Nigeria. Major General UM Alkali moves in the opposite direction to the Department of Civil-Military Affairs.
Major General GS Muhammed has been redeployed from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation (NAFIC) as Director General. Major General JE Osifo moves from NAFIC to the Military Pension Board as Chairman, while Major General IE Ekpenyong becomes Director, Engineering Services at the DHQ Department of Defence Logistics.
At the Brigadier General level, AA Bello moves from 6 Division Garrison/Sector 3 Joint Task Force South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE, to the DHQ Department of Defence Operations. MS Adamu becomes Commander of the newly established 8 Brigade, while MS Sule moves from Special Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE to become Commander of 27 Task Force Brigade.
Other postings see Brigadier General I Sule appointed Commander of 6 Division Garrison and Brigadier General E Azenda take over as Commander of 2 Division Garrison. Brigadier General AS Bugaje moves from 2 Division Garrison to the Land Forces Simulation Centre as Director of Administration.
In a statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Apollonia Anele, the Army said the redeployments were designed to enhance operational effectiveness, strengthen leadership and ensure that officers with the appropriate experience and expertise are assigned to critical positions.
The COAS charged the newly appointed officers to demonstrate exemplary leadership, professionalism and operational innovation while remaining committed to the Army’s constitutional responsibility of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authorities in maintaining peace and security.
