The Nigerian Army has carried out a major redeployment of senior officers to key command, operational and staff positions as part of efforts to strengthen operational effectiveness, enhance leadership and improve its response to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
According to a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, on Wednesday, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, approved the strategic redeployment to ensure that the right leadership, experience and expertise are positioned in critical operational theatres and strategic appointments.
The statement said the exercise was designed to align the Army’s command structure with the country’s changing security environment, while strengthening operational effectiveness and ensuring decisive effects in key areas of national security.
Under the new postings, Major General IA Ajose moves from the Army Headquarters, 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 moves from the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Garrison to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, while Major General RT Utsaha moves from the Army Headquarters, Department of Army Standards and Evaluation, to the DHQ Garrison as Commander.
Similarly, Major General AM Umar moves from the Army Headquarters, Department of Civil-Military Affairs (DCMA), to the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) as Commandant, while Major General UM Alkali moves from the Army War College Nigeria to the Army Headquarters, Department of Civil-Military Affairs.
Major General GS Muhammed moves from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation (NAFIC) as Director General.
His predecessor at NAFIC, Major General JE Osifo, has been redeployed to the Military Pension Board (MPB) as Chairman, while Major General IE Ekpenyong moves to the Defence Headquarters, Department of Defence Logistics, as Director, Engineering Services.
At the operational level, Brigadier General AA Bello moves 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 has been redeployed from the Nigerian Army Women Command to the newly established 8 Brigade as Commander, while Brigadier General MS Sule moves from the Special Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace, to 27 Task Force Brigade as Commander.
Similarly, Brigadier General I Sule moves from the Directorate of Recruitment Management to 6 Division Garrison as Commander.
Brigadier General E Azenda moves from the Land Forces Simulation Centre to 2 Division Garrison as Commander, while Brigadier General AS Bugaje moves 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.
Gen Shaibu urged the officers to remain focused on the constitutional mandate of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authority in maintaining peace and security.
The Army said it remained resolute in sustaining a dynamic leadership and force-employment framework capable of enhancing operational outcomes, strengthening joint and inter-agency coordination and improving the Service’s capacity to respond decisively to contemporary and emerging threats.
It said the latest redeployments would further contribute to the attainment of Nigeria’s national security objectives.