Army redeploys senior officers in major shake-up amid rising insecurity

The Nigerian Army has announced a major redeployment of senior officers across operational, command, training and administrative formations as part of efforts to strengthen operational effectiveness and tackle the country’s evolving security challenges.

The strategic reshuffle, approved by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, affects General Officers Commanding (GOCs), brigade commanders, commandants of military institutions and principal staff officers at the Army Headquarters.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Army said the postings were aimed at consolidating its operational capacity and repositioning its leadership structure to better address emerging security threats across the country.

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 GOC 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE, replacing Major General EE Emeka.

The Army also appointed Major General JR Lar as Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola assumes office as Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I Waziri will continue to serve as Chief of Staff to the Chief of Army Staff.

As part of efforts to strengthen operational leadership, Brigadier General IB Buhari has been posted to Headquarters 63 Brigade as Commander, while Brigadier General K Rabiu takes over command of Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.

In recognition of the growing importance of technology and emerging security threats, Major General SA Emmanuel has been appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command, while Major General O Adegbe becomes Director of Intelligence and Security at the 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 of the Nigerian Army Armour School. Major General SO Adejimi has been named Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, and Major General FS Etim takes over as Chief of Training at the Headquarters, Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC).

Similarly, Brigadier General U Ahmad has been appointed Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.

In the housing and property sector, Major General KO Ukandu has been appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited (PHDL), while Major General AI Allison takes over as Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.

The Chief of Army Staff charged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence reposed in them by providing exemplary leadership, professionalism and innovation in the discharge of their responsibilities.

According to the statement, Lieutenant General Shaibu urged them to remain committed to the Nigerian Army’s constitutional mandate of defending the country’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authorities in maintaining peace and security.

The Army reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing institutional reforms, saying it remains focused on building a highly professional, combat-ready and people-oriented force capable of responding effectively to both current and emerging security challenges across Nigeria.