Major shake up as Nigerian Army appoints, redeploys Generals GOCs
Major shake up aa Nigerian Army appoints redeploys Generals GOCs
The Nigerian Army has approved a sweeping redeployment of senior officers, including General Officers Commanding (GOCs), brigade commanders, and heads of key military institutions, in what it described as part of efforts to strengthen operational efficiency and national security response.
The shake-up, sanctioned by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, affects operational commands, training institutions, staff appointments, and military-owned organisations across the country.
In a statement on Saturday, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said the exercise reflects the Army’s ongoing drive to enhance its operational readiness and institutional effectiveness.
According to her, the redeployment “cuts across field commanders, school commandants and principal staff officers at the Army Headquarters.”
As part of the reshuffle, Major General WM Dangana has been appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Division Nigerian Army, and Commander, Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, taking over from Major General EF Oyinlola.
Major General EI Okoro was also named GOC, 6 Division Nigerian Army, as well as Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE, replacing Major General EE Emeka.
Other operational appointments include Major General JR Lar as Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola becomes 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 the same vein, Brigadier General IB Buhari was appointed Commander of 63 Brigade Headquarters, and Brigadier General K Rabiu now heads 31 Artillery Brigade, in what the Army said was aimed at strengthening field leadership and combat effectiveness.
The restructuring also reflects a growing emphasis on modern military capabilities, with Major General SA Emmanuel appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command.
The Army noted that the appointment “reinforces the Army’s growing focus on emerging domains of warfare and technology-driven security operations.”
The redeployment further extends to intelligence, doctrine, and military education formations.
Major General O Adegbe has been appointed Director of Intelligence and Security at the Defence Headquarters, while Major General KE Chigbu becomes Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College.
Major General SD Makolo was named Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armour School, and Major General SO Adejimi will now serve as Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport.
Major General FS Etim has been appointed Chief of Training at the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Nigerian Army, while Brigadier General U Ahmad takes over as Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
The shake-up also extends to Army-owned enterprises. Major General KO Ukandu has been appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited, while Major General AI Allison becomes Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.
According to the statement, the Chief of Army Staff 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 Army also reaffirmed its reform agenda, stating that: “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.”
