The Nigerian Army has approved the strategic redeployment of senior officers to key command, operational and staff appointments in a move aimed at strengthening operational effectiveness and enhancing national security.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, approved the postings as part of ongoing efforts to align the Army’s command structure with Nigeria’s evolving security environment.
Anele said the exercise prioritised critical operational theatres and strategic appointments to ensure that the right leadership, experience and expertise are positioned to deliver decisive effects.
Under the new postings, Major General IA Ajose moved from Army Headquarters (AHQ), Department of Army Operations, to the Theatre Command, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), as Theatre Commander.
Major General AE Abubakar, who previously served in OPHK, has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC) as Dean, Faculty of Operational Research. Major General AM Alechenu moved from the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Garrison to the NAHFC, while Major General RT Utsaha moved from AHQ Department of Army Standards and Evaluation to DHQ Garrison as Commander.
Similarly, Major General AM Umar moves from AHQ Department of Civil-Military Affairs (DCMA) to Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) as Commandant, while Major General UM Alkali moved from AWCN to AHQ DCMA.
Major General GS Muhammed moved from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation (NAFIC) as Director General, while Major General JE Osifo moved from NAFIC to the Military Pension Board (MPB) as Chairman.
Major General IE Ekpenyong has also been redeployed to the DHQ Department of Defence Logistics as Director, Engineering Services.
At the operational level, Brigadier General AA Bello moved from 6 Division Garrison/Sector 3 Joint Task Force South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE, to the DHQ Department of Defence Operations.
Brigadier General MS Adamu has been redeployed from the Nigerian Army Women Command to the newly established 8 Brigade as Commander, while Brigadier General MS Sule moved from Special Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE to 27 Task Force Brigade as Commander.
Other changes include the redeployment of Brigadier General I Sule from the Directorate of Recruitment Management to 6 Division Garrison as Commander.
Brigadier General E Azenda moved from the Land Forces Simulation Centre to 2 Division Garrison as Commander, while Brigadier General AS Bugaje moved from 2 Division Garrison to the Land Forces Simulation Centre as Director, Administration.
The COAS charged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence reposed in them through exemplary leadership, operational innovation, professionalism and unwavering commitment to duty.
He further urged the officers to remain relentlessly focused on the constitutional mandate of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authorities in maintaining peace and security.
The Nigerian Army said the leadership changes are part of its efforts to sustain a dynamic leadership and force-employment framework that enhances operational outcomes, strengthens joint and inter-agency coordination and improves the Service’s capacity to respond decisively to contemporary and emerging threats.
The Army reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s national security objectives through effective leadership, professionalism and enhanced operational capacity.
