The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has authorised the redeployment of 16 Major Generals and several Brigadier Generals to strategic command, operational and staff appointments across the Nigerian Army.
As part of the new postings, Major General IA Ajose has been named Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF) North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), after his transfer from the Army Headquarters Department of Army Operations.
The appointment is part of efforts by the Nigerian Army to reinforce leadership in key operational theatres and restructure its command system in response to the country’s changing security environment.
Major General AE Abubakar, who was previously serving with OPHK, has been posted to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC) as Dean, Faculty of Operational Research.
Similarly, Major General AM Alechenu has been transferred from the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Garrison to the NAHFC, while Major General RT Utsaha moves from the Army Headquarters Department of Army Standards and Evaluation to the DHQ Garrison as Commander.
In other senior appointments, 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 is transferred from the Army War College Nigeria to the Department of Civil-Military Affairs.
Major General GS Muhammed has also been redeployed from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation (NAFIC), where he will serve as Director General.
Major General JE Osifo moves from NAFIC to the Military Pension Board as Chairman, while Major General IE Ekpenyong has been posted to the DHQ Department of Defence Logistics as Director, Engineering Services.
At the operational level, Brigadier General AA Bello has been transferred from 6 Division Garrison/Sector 3 JTF South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE, to the DHQ Department of Defence Operations.
Brigadier General MS Adamu moves from the Nigerian Army Women Command to the newly established 8 Brigade as Commander, while Brigadier General MS Sule has been redeployed from Special Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE to 27 Task Force Brigade as Commander.
Brigadier General I Sule has also moved from the Directorate of Recruitment Management to 6 Division Garrison as Commander, while Brigadier General E Azenda has been transferred from the Land Forces Simulation Centre to 2 Division Garrison as Commander.
Meanwhile, Brigadier General AS Bugaje moves from 2 Division Garrison to the Land Forces Simulation Centre, where he will serve as Director of Administration.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Apollonia Anele, the Nigerian Army said the redeployments formed part of measures aimed at improving operational effectiveness, reinforcing leadership and ensuring that appropriate experience and expertise are assigned to key commands and strategic positions.
According to the Army, the exercise is designed to improve operational results, deepen joint and inter-agency collaboration and boost the Service’s ability to respond effectively to current and emerging security challenges.
The COAS directed the newly appointed officers to demonstrate that they deserved the confidence placed in them through effective leadership, operational creativity, professionalism and steadfast dedication to their responsibilities.
He also urged them to remain committed to the constitutional responsibility of safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and assisting civil authorities in preserving peace and security.
The Army reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining a flexible leadership and force-employment structure in support of the country’s national security goals.
