Major Army Reshuffle: New Commanders Take Charge In Key Security Flashpoints

The Nigerian Army has announced a major reshuffle of its senior officers, with new commanders appointed to key operational theatres and strategic formations across the country as part of efforts to strengthen national security and enhance operational effectiveness.

The redeployment, approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, affects operational commanders, principal staff officers, commandants of military institutions and other senior officers.

Announcing the appointments on Saturday, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said the changes were aimed at consolidating the Army’s capacity to address emerging security challenges and improve force readiness.

According to her, “The Chief of Army Staff has approved a strategic reshuffling of senior officers across key operational, command, training and staff appointments within the Nigerian Army as part of ongoing efforts to enhance operational effectiveness, strengthen national security and consolidate the Army’s capacity to address emerging security challenges across the country.”

Among the appointments, Major General WM Dangana was named General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, replacing Major General EF Oyinlola.

Similarly, Major General EI Okoro was appointed General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE, taking over from Major General EE Emeka.

The Army also appointed Major General JR Lar as Commander Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola was named Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I Waziri retained his position as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff.

In another key development, Brigadier General IB Buhari was appointed Commander Headquarters 63 Brigade, while Brigadier General K Rabiu assumed command of Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.

The reshuffle also saw Major General SA Emmanuel appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command, a move viewed as part of the military’s increasing focus on technology-driven security operations and emerging warfare domains.
Major General O Adegbe was appointed Director of Intelligence and Security at Defence Headquarters.

The changes extended to military education and training institutions. 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.

Also appointed were Major General SO Adejimi as Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport and Major General FS Etim as Chief of Training at Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC).

Brigadier General U Ahmad was named Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
The Army further appointed Major General KO Ukandu as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited, while Major General AI Allison emerged Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.

Colonel Anele said the Army Chief had tasked the newly appointed officers to live up to expectations and justify the confidence reposed in them.

She quoted the COAS as charging the 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.”

She added that the Nigerian Army remained committed to its transformation agenda and the development of “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.”