Army reshuffles top leadership, names new theatre commander

Nigerian Army logo. Photo: Army

The Nigerian Army has announced a strategic reshuffle of its senior leadership, with the redeployment of several generals and brigadier generals to key command, operational and staff appointments across the Service.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, approved the postings as part of efforts to enhance operational effectiveness, strengthen leadership and align the Army’s command structure with the country’s evolving security environment.

In a post on the Nigerian Army’s X handle on Wednesday, the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said the exercise prioritised critical operational theatres and strategic appointments to ensure that the “right leadership, experience and expertise” were positioned to deliver decisive results.

Under the new arrangement, Major General IA Ajose has moved from the Army Headquarters Department of Army Operations to the Theatre Command, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, as Theatre Commander.

Major General AE Abubakar, who previously served under Operation HADIN KAI, has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre as Dean, Faculty of Operational Research.

Major General AM Alechenu has also moved from Defence Headquarters Garrison to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, while Major General RT Utsaha has been redeployed from the Army Headquarters Department of Army Standards and Evaluation to Defence Headquarters Garrison as Commander.

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 been redeployed from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation as Director General.

Major General JE Osifo has moved from the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation to the Military Pension Board as Chairman, while Major General IE Ekpenyong has been redeployed to the Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Logistics as Director, Engineering Services.

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At the operational level, 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, while 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 COAS charged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence reposed in them through “exemplary leadership, operational innovation, professionalism and unwavering commitment to duty.”

He urged the officers to remain focused on the Army’s constitutional mandate of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authorities in maintaining peace and security.

The Nigerian Army said the reshuffle was part of its commitment to maintaining a dynamic leadership and force-employment framework capable of improving operational outcomes and strengthening joint and inter-agency coordination.

The Service added that the new postings would improve its capacity to respond decisively to contemporary and emerging security threats in furtherance of Nigeria’s national security objectives.