Nigerian Army Announces Major Shake-Up of Senior Commanders

Nigerian Army Announces Major Shake-Up of Senior Commanders

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved a major redeployment of senior officers across operational, command, training and staff appointments as part of efforts to strengthen the Nigerian Army’s operational effectiveness and address evolving security challenges.

According to a statement signed by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the reshuffle affects field commanders, commandants of military institutions and principal staff officers at the Army Headquarters.

Under the new postings, Major General WM Dangana has been appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, replacing Major General EF Oyinlola. Major General EI Okoro takes over as GOC 6 Division and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE, succeeding Major General EE Emeka.

Major General JR Lar has been named Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola assumes office as Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I. Waziri retained his position as Chief of Staff to the Chief of Army Staff.

Other key appointments include Major General SA Emmanuel as Commander, Nigerian Army Space Command; Major General O. Adegbe as Director of Intelligence and Security at Defence Headquarters; Major General KE Chigbu as Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College; and Brigadier General U. Ahmad as Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.

The reshuffle also saw Major General SD Makolo appointed Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armour School, 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 Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC).

The COAS charged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence reposed in them through exemplary leadership, professionalism and dedication to the Army’s constitutional responsibility of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and supporting internal security operations.

He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to building a professional, combat-ready and people-oriented force capable of responding effectively to current and emerging security threats across the country.