The Nigerian Army has approved a major redeployment of senior officers, announcing fresh appointments across key operational, command, training and administrative positions, as part of efforts to strengthen its response to evolving security challenges.
The changes, approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-General Waidi Shaibu, were disclosed in a statement yesterday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele.
According to the statement, the reshuffle affects General Officers Commanding, brigade commanders, commandants of military institutions and principal staff officers at the Army Headquarters.
Among the appointments, Major-General WM Dangana was named General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3-Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Joint Task Force ‘Operation Enduring Peace’, replacing Major-General E.F Oyinlola. Major-General EI Okoro was also appointed GOC 6-Division Nigerian Army, and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force South-South ‘Operation Delta Safe’, succeeding Major-General E.E Emeka.
The Army also appointed Major-General JR Lar as Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier-General O.M 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. To strengthen field operations, Brigadier-General I.B Buhari was posted to Headquarters 63 Brigade as Commander, while Brigadier-General K. Rabiu was appointed Commander of Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.
In a move aimed at enhancing technology-driven military operations, Major-General S.A Emmanuel was appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command. “The appointment reinforces the Army’s growing focus on emerging domains of warfare and technology-driven security operations”, the statement said.
Major-General O. Adegbe was named Director of Intelligence and Security at the Defence Headquarters, while Major-General K.E Chigbu became Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College.
Other appointments include: Major-General S.D Makolo as Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armour School, Major-General S.O Adejimi as Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, Major-General F.S Etim as Chief of Training at the Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), and Brigadier-General U. Ahmad as Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria. The Army also named Major-General K.O Ukandu as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Ltd., while Major-General A.I Allison was appointed Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.
Lieutenant-General Shaibu urged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence reposed in them through professionalism, innovation and exemplary leadership. He charged them to remain 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.
