Just In: COAS Shaibu shakes up Army with redeployments, appointments of top officers

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Less than 24 hours after assuming office as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu on Thursday evening shakes up the Nigerian Army with posting and appointment of senior officers to key command, staff and instructional positions across formations, units and training institutions.

A statement by the Army Headquarters indicated that the postings and redeployments were aimed at reinvigorating leadership, strengthening command structures and enhancing operational effectiveness across the service.

Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Appolonia Anele signed the statement. According to the statement, the redeployments and appointments affected several Major Generals and Brigadier Generals who are now to take charge in strategic positions under the new COAS Shaibu.

Giving breakdown of the exercise, Anele, in the statement, said Maj.-Gen. Bamidele Alabi had been redeployed to the Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans as Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), while Maj.-Gen. Jamal Abdulsalam, formerly Chief of Special Services and Programmes, would proceed to Defence Headquarters as Chief of Defence Operations.

The Army spokesperson added that Maj.-Gen. Peter Mala had been moved from the Office of the National Security Adviser to Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) as Commander.

According to her, Maj.-Gen. Samson Jiya was redeployed from the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC) to Defence Headquarters as Chief of Defence Accounts and Budget.

Other appointments include Maj.Gen. Mayirenso Saraso as Chief of Operations (Army); Maj.-Gen. Isa Abdullahi as Chief of Administration (Army); and Maj.-Gen. Musa Etsu-Ndagi as Chief of Civil-Military Affairs.

Also affected are Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Haruna, who moves to the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC), Kontagora, as Commander; and Maj.-Gen. Philip Ilodibia, now Chief of Defence Space Administration.

In the same vein, Maj.-Gen. Godwin Mutkut becomes Corps Commander Infantry; Maj.-Gen. Umar Abubakar, Commander Armour Corps; Maj.-Gen. John Adeyemo, Corps Commander Artillery; and Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Abdullahi, Corps Commander Signals.

The statement added that Maj.-Gen. Taofik Sidick was redeployed to the Nigerian Army Finance Corps as Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army), while Maj.-Gen. Abdullahi Ibrahim becomes Corps Commander Ordnance.

Others are Maj.-Gen. Adeyinka Adereti, Corps Commander Electrical and Mechanical Engineers; Maj.-Gen. Nansak Shagaya, Corps Commander Supply and Transport; and Brig.-Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed, Acting Corps Commander Education.

At the training institutions, Maj.-Gen. Oluyemi Olatoye was appointed Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna; Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Mustapha, Commandant, Nigerian Army Signal School; Maj.-Gen. Adamu Hassan, Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Artillery; and Brig.-Gen. John Bulus, Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Finance and Accounts.

The COAS also appointed Maj.-Gen. Saidu Audu, as Force Commander, Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), N’Djamena; Maj.-Gen. Warrah Idris as Commander, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA.

Maj.-Gen. Oluremi Fadairo is now the General Officer Commanding 82 Division and Commander, Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA.

Similarly, Maj.-Gen. Olatokumbo Bello was appointed Director, Defence Media Operations, while Brig.-Gen. Samaila Uba becomes Director, Defence Information.

The Army Chief charged the newly appointed officers to bring their wealth of experience, administrative acumen and strategic foresight to bear in advancing a disciplined and combat-ready army capable of confronting contemporary security challenges.

He urged them to sustain operational momentum, strengthen interagency collaboration and uphold the army’s core values of loyalty, selfless service, integrity and excellence. (NAN)