The Nigerian Army has announced a strategic redeployment of senior officers across the Nigerian Army, affecting operational commanders, training institutions and key staff appointments in a move aimed at strengthening operational effectiveness and national security.
The redeployment, approved by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the Army’s operational capacity and improve its response to emerging security challenges across the country.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, the postings involve field commanders, commandants of military training institutions and principal staff officers at Army Headquarters.
Under the new appointments, Major General WM Dangana takes over as General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander, Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, replacing Major General EF Oyinlola. Major General EI Okoro has been appointed GOC 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE, succeeding Major General EE Emeka.
Also appointed are Major General JR Lar as Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison; Brigadier General OM Oyekola as Acting Military Secretary (Army); and Brigadier General I Waziri, who retains his position as Chief of Staff to the Chief of Army Staff.
The redeployment also saw Brigadier General IB Buhari appointed Commander, Headquarters 63 Brigade, while Brigadier General K. Rabiu assumes command of Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.
In further appointments, Major General SA Emmanuel was named Commander, Nigerian Army Space Command, while Major General O. Adegbe becomes Director of Intelligence and Security at Defence Headquarters.
The changes also affected professional military education institutions, with Major General KE Chigbu appointed Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College; Major General SD Makolo as Commandant, Nigerian Army Armour School; Major General SO Adejimi as Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport; Major General FS Etim as Chief of Training at Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC); and Brigadier General U. Ahmad as Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
Other appointments include Major General KO Ukandu as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited (PHDL), while Major General AI Allison assumes office as Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.
“The Chief of Army Staff charged the newly appointed senior 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,” Col. Anele said.
She noted that the redeployment forms part of the Army’s broader transformation agenda aimed at improving operational efficiency and force readiness.
“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,” Anele added.
The latest redeployment comes as the Nigerian Army continues to reposition its leadership and operational structures in response to evolving security threats across different parts of the country.
