The Nigerian Army has announced a major reshuffle of its senior leadership, redeploying several generals and brigadier generals to key operational, command and staff positions neefing up its operations in the North East.
The postings, approved by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, the force said, were aimed at strengthening operational effectiveness, improving leadership and repositioning the force’s command structure to respond more effectively to the country’s evolving security challenges.
Spokesman for the Army, Colonel Appolonia Anele, disclosed the development in a statement posted on the Nigerian Army’s X handle on Wednesday, adding that the exercise was designed to prioritise critical operational theatres and strategic appointments, ensuring that the “right leadership, experience and expertise” were deployed to positions where they could contribute to decisive results.
Under the new arrangement, Major General IA Ajose has been redeployed from the Army Headquarters Department of Army Operations to the Theatre Command, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, where he will serve as Theatre Commander.
Major General AE Abubakar, who previously served under Operation HADIN KAI, has been posted to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre as Dean, Faculty of Operational Research.
Also affected by the reshuffle is Major General AM Alechenu, who has moved from Defence Headquarters Garrison to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre.
Major General RT Utsaha has been redeployed from the Army Headquarters Department of Army Standards and Evaluation to Defence Headquarters Garrison as Commander.
In other senior appointments, Major General AM Umar has moved from the Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs to the Army War College Nigeria as Commandant, while Major General UM Alkali has been redeployed from the college to the Department of Civil-Military Affairs.
Major General GS Muhammed has also been redeployed from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation as Director General.
His successor at the Military Pension Board will be Major General JE Osifo, who has moved from the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation to the board as Chairman.
Major General IE Ekpenyong has meanwhile been redeployed to the Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Logistics as Director, Engineering Services.
Brigadier Generals Redeployed
At the operational and formation levels, the Army also announced the redeployment of several brigadier generals to strategic commands.
Brigadier General AA Bello has moved 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.
Similarly, Brigadier General MS Sule has moved from Special Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE to 27 Task Force Brigade as Commander.
Brigadier General I Sule has also been redeployed from the Directorate of Recruitment Management to 6 Division Garrison as Commander.
Brigadier General E Azenda has moved from the Land Forces Simulation Centre to 2 Division Garrison as Commander, while Brigadier General AS Bugaje has been redeployed from 2 Division Garrison to the Land Forces Simulation Centre as Director, Administration.
The Chief of Army Staff charged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence reposed in them through exemplary leadership, operational innovation, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to duty.
Lieutenant General Shaibu urged the officers to remain focused on the constitutional mandate of the Nigerian Army, particularly the defence of Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as support to civil authorities in maintaining peace and security.
The Army said the latest postings formed part of its broader effort to maintain a dynamic leadership and force-employment structure capable of responding to contemporary and emerging security threats.
The Service added that the reshuffle was expected to strengthen operational outcomes, enhance joint and inter-agency coordination and improve the Army’s ability to respond decisively to security challenges across the country.
The redeployments come at a time when the Nigerian Army is engaged in multiple security operations across the country, including counter-insurgency operations in the North-East, anti-banditry operations in the North-West and North-Central regions, as well as operations aimed at addressing other threats to national security.
