The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the strategic redeployment of senior officers to key command, operational and staff positions across the Nigerian Army as part of efforts to strengthen operational effectiveness and enhance national security.
The Army said the latest postings are aimed at aligning its leadership structure with Nigeria’s evolving security challenges while ensuring that critical operational theatres are placed under experienced commanders with the right expertise to deliver decisive results.
Under the new appointments, Major General IA Ajose has moved from the Army Headquarters Department of Army Operations to become Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI.
His predecessor, Major General AE Abubakar, has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC) as Dean, Faculty of Operational Research, while Major General AM Alechenu has also moved to the centre.
Major General RT Utsaha, formerly of the Army Headquarters Department of Army Standards and Evaluation, has been appointed Commander, Defence Headquarters Garrison.
In other senior appointments, Major General AM Umar moves from the Department of Civil-Military Affairs to become Commandant of the Army War College Nigeria, while Major General UM Alkali moves from the college to the Department of Civil-Military Affairs.
Major General GS Muhammed has been redeployed from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation as Director General.
Major General JE Osifo moves from the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation to the Military Pension Board as Chairman, while Major General IE Ekpenyong has been appointed Director, Engineering Services at the Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Logistics.
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 appointed Commander of the newly established 8 Brigade, while Brigadier General MS Sule moves from Special Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE to become Commander of 27 Task Force Brigade.
Similarly, Brigadier General I Sule moves from the Directorate of Recruitment Management to become Commander, 6 Division Garrison.
Brigadier General E Azenda moves from the Land Forces Simulation Centre to become Commander, 2 Division Garrison, while Brigadier General AS Bugaje moves from 2 Division Garrison to the Land Forces Simulation Centre as Director of Administration.
The COAS charged the newly appointed commanders and senior officers to justify the confidence placed in them through exemplary leadership, operational innovation and professionalism.
He also urged them to remain committed to the Nigerian Army’s constitutional mandate of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while supporting civil authorities in maintaining peace and security.
According to the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the redeployments reflect the Army’s commitment to maintaining a dynamic leadership and force-employment structure capable of improving operational outcomes.
She said the new leadership framework would also strengthen joint and inter-agency coordination and enhance the Army’s ability to respond decisively to contemporary and emerging security threats.
The Nigerian Army said it remains focused on repositioning its leadership and operational structures to meet the country’s national security objectives.
