By Chimezie Godfrey
The Nigerian Army has announced a major reshuffle of its senior leadership, with the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, approving fresh appointments across operational, command, training and staff positions to strengthen the military’s operational effectiveness and national security.
According to a statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the redeployment affects field commanders, commandants of military institutions and principal staff officers at the Army Headquarters.
In the new postings, Major General WM Dangana has been appointed General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander, Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, replacing Major General EF Oyinlola, while Major General EI Okoro takes over as General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE, replacing Major General EE Emeka. Major General JR Lar was appointed Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola assumes office as Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I Waziri remains Chief of Staff to the Chief of Army Staff.
The statement added that, as part of efforts to deepen operational leadership and enhance force readiness, Brigadier General IB Buhari has been appointed Commander, Headquarters 63 Brigade, while Brigadier General K Rabiu takes command of Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade. Major General SA Emmanuel has also been appointed Commander, Nigerian Army Space Command, while Major General O Adegbe becomes Director, Intelligence and Security at the Defence Headquarters.
In the area of professional military education and institutional development, Major General KE Chigbu has been appointed Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College, Major General SD Makolo becomes Commandant, Nigerian Army Armour School, Major General SO Adejimi takes over as Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, while Major General FS Etim has been appointed Chief of Training at the Headquarters, Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army. Brigadier General U Ahmad was also named Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
Other appointments include Major General KO Ukandu as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited and Major General AI Allison as Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.
The statement quoted the Chief of Army Staff as charging the newly appointed officers “to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating exemplary leadership, professionalism, innovation and unwavering commitment to the Nigerian Army’s constitutional mandate of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authority in maintaining peace and security across the nation.”
It added that “the Nigerian Army remains resolute in its transformation drive and commitment to building a highly professional, combat-ready and people-oriented force capable of effectively addressing contemporary and future security challenges in pursuit of Nigeria’s national security objectives.”
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