The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved a major redeployment of senior officers in a strategic move aimed at strengthening the Nigerian Army’s operational effectiveness and intensifying the fight against insecurity across the country.
The shake-up, which affects key operational, command, training and staff appointments, is part of the Army’s ongoing transformation agenda to enhance its capacity to respond to emerging security threats and improve leadership across critical formations.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Army said the redeployments were designed to consolidate ongoing security operations and reinforce the institution’s readiness to tackle terrorism, banditry and other criminal activities threatening national security.
Under the new appointments, Major General WM Dangana becomes the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander, Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, succeeding Major General EF Oyinlola.
Major General EI Okoro has been appointed GOC 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE, replacing Major General EE Emeka.
Also redeployed is Major General JR Lar, who assumes office as Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola takes over as Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I Waziri retains his position as Chief of Staff to the COAS.
In further efforts to strengthen operational leadership, Brigadier General IB Buhari has been appointed Commander, Headquarters 63 Brigade, while Brigadier General K Rabiu takes command of Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.
Reflecting the Army’s growing emphasis on technology-driven security operations, Major General SA Emmanuel has been named Commander, Nigerian Army Space Command, while Major General O Adegbe assumes duty as Director of Intelligence and Security at Defence Headquarters.
The redeployment also affected key military training institutions. Major General KE Chigbu has been appointed Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College, while Major General SD Makolo becomes Commandant, Nigerian Army Armour School. Major General SO Adejimi takes over as Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, and Major General FS Etim has been appointed Chief of Training at Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC).
Brigadier General U Ahmad has also been named Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
Other appointments include Major General KO Ukandu as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited, while Major General AI Allison becomes Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.
The COAS charged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating exemplary leadership, professionalism, innovation and unwavering commitment to the Army’s constitutional responsibility of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authorities in maintaining peace and security.
According to the Army, the latest redeployment underscores its determination to build a highly professional, combat-ready and people-oriented force capable of confronting both current and emerging security challenges in line with Nigeria’s national security objectives.
