Army Reshuffles Senior Officers, Appoints New GOCs, Commanders
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved a major reshuffle of senior officers across operational, command, training and staff appointments in the Nigerian Army as part of efforts to strengthen operational effectiveness and enhance national security.
The redeployment, announced early Saturday morning, affected field commanders, commandants of military institutions and principal staff officers at the Army Headquarters.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, Major General WM Dangana has been appointed General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, replacing Major General EF Oyinlola.
READ ALSO: Group Urges Police, DSS to Investigate Alleged Cult-related Killing in Osun
Similarly, Major General EI Okoro has been named General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE, taking over from Major General EE Emeka.
The statement added that Major General JR Lar has been appointed Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola will serve as Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I Waziri will remain in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff as Chief of Staff.
In other appointments aimed at boosting operational leadership and combat readiness, Brigadier General IB Buhari was named Commander, Headquarters 63 Brigade, while Brigadier General K Rabiu assumed command of Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.
Major General SA Emmanuel was appointed Commander, Nigerian Army Space Command, a move the Army said underscores its growing focus on technology-driven security operations and emerging domains of warfare.
The reshuffle also saw Major General O Adegbe appointed Director of Intelligence and Security at the Defence Headquarters.
In the area of military training and professional development, Major General KE Chigbu was appointed Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College, while Major General SD Makolo became Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armour School.
Major General SO Adejimi was named Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, while Major General FS Etim was appointed Chief of Training at the Headquarters, Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army.
Also, Brigadier General U Ahmad has been appointed Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
The Army further announced the appointment of Major General KO Ukandu as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited, while Major General AI Allison was named Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.
Shaibu charged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence reposed in them through exemplary leadership, professionalism and innovation in the discharge of their duties.
He urged them to remain committed to the Army’s constitutional responsibility of defending the nation’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authorities in maintaining peace and security.
The Army stated that the appointments form part of its ongoing transformation drive aimed at building a professional, combat-ready and people-oriented force capable of addressing current and emerging security challenges across the country.
