The Nigerian Army has carried out a major reshuffle of its senior officers, redeploying several generals and brigadier generals to strategic command, operational and administrative positions across the Service.
The postings were approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, as part of efforts to improve operational effectiveness and strengthen the Army’s leadership structure in response to Nigeria’s changing security challenges.
The Punch reported that the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, disclosed the development in a statement posted on the Nigerian Army’s X handle on Wednesday.
According to Anele, the exercise focused on critical operational theatres and strategic appointments to ensure that the “right leadership, experience and expertise” were deployed to achieve decisive results.
Among the major changes, Major General IA Ajose was transferred from the Army Headquarters Department of Army Operations to the Theatre Command, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, where he will serve as Theatre Commander.
His predecessor in the theatre, Major General AE Abubakar, was redeployed to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre as Dean, Faculty of Operational Research.
Major General AM Alechenu was also moved from the Defence Headquarters Garrison to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, while Major General RT Utsaha was transferred from the Army Headquarters Department of Army Standards and Evaluation to the Defence Headquarters Garrison as Commander.
Major General AM Umar was appointed Commandant of the Army War College Nigeria after his redeployment from the Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs. Major General UM Alkali, who previously served at the college, will now take over duties at the Department of Civil-Military Affairs.
Also affected by the reshuffle, Major General GS Muhammed was moved from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation as Director General.
Major General JE Osifo, formerly with the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation, was appointed Chairman of the Military Pension Board, while Major General IE Ekpenyong was deployed to the Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Logistics as Director, Engineering Services.
At the operational level, Brigadier General AA Bello was moved from 6 Division Garrison/Sector 3 Joint Task Force South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE, to the Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Operations.
Brigadier General MS Adamu was redeployed from the Nigerian Army Women Command to take charge as Commander of the newly established 8 Brigade.
Brigadier General MS Sule was transferred from Special Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE to serve as Commander of 27 Task Force Brigade, while Brigadier General I Sule moved from the Directorate of Recruitment Management to 6 Division Garrison as Commander.
Brigadier General E Azenda was also redeployed from the Land Forces Simulation Centre to 2 Division Garrison as Commander.
His replacement at the simulation centre is Brigadier General AS Bugaje, who was transferred from 2 Division Garrison to serve as Director, Administration.
The Army Chief charged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence placed in them through “exemplary leadership, operational innovation, professionalism and unwavering commitment to duty.”
Shaibu further urged the officers to remain committed to the Army’s constitutional responsibilities, including defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authorities in maintaining peace and security.
The Nigerian Army said the latest postings were designed to sustain a dynamic leadership and force-employment structure capable of improving operational performance.
The Service added that the changes would strengthen its ability to tackle contemporary and emerging security threats while enhancing coordination with other security agencies in pursuit of Nigeria’s national security objectives.
