Breaking: Army announces major shake-up, names new GOCs, commanders

By Tolulope Oke

The Nigerian Army has announced a major shake-up involving senior officers across key operational, command, training and staff positions.

The redeployment, approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, affected General Officers Commanding, brigade commanders, school commandants and principal staff officers at Army Headquarters.

The Army said the move was part of efforts to strengthen national security, improve operational effectiveness and reposition the force to respond better to emerging security threats.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele.

According to the statement, Major General WM Dangana has been appointed General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE.

He replaces Major General EF Oyinlola.

Major General EI Okoro was also appointed General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE.

He takes over from Major General EE Emeka.

The Army also named Major General JR Lar as Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola was appointed 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 operational posting, Brigadier General IB Buhari was appointed Commander of Headquarters 63 Brigade, while Brigadier General K Rabiu was named Commander of Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.

The reshuffle also touched the Army’s technology and emerging warfare structure, with Major General SA Emmanuel appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command.

The Army said the appointment reinforced its growing focus on emerging domains of warfare and technology-driven security operations.

Major General O Adegbe was appointed Director of Intelligence and Security at Defence Headquarters.

In the area of military education and institutional development, Major General KE Chigbu was appointed Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College.

Major General SD Makolo was named Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armour School.

Other appointments include 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 the Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command, Nigerian Army.

Brigadier General U Ahmad was also appointed Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.

The reshuffle further saw Major General KO Ukandu appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited.

Major General AI Allison was named 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 leadership, professionalism, innovation and commitment to the Army’s constitutional responsibilities.

“The COAS 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,” the statement said.

The Army said it remained committed to building a professional, combat-ready and people-oriented force capable of addressing present and future security challenges.

“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,” the statement added.