The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has approved a major redeployment of senior officers across the Nigerian Army, with new appointments in key operational, command, training and staff positions aimed at strengthening national security and enhancing operational effectiveness.
The reshuffle, announced on Saturday in a statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, affects field commanders, commandants of military institutions and principal staff officers at the Army Headquarters.
According to the statement, Major General WM Dangana has been appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, succeeding Major General EF Oyinlola.
Similarly, Major General EI Okoro takes over as GOC 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE, replacing Major General EE Emeka.
In other appointments, Major General JR Lar has been named Commander of Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola assumes office as Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I. Waziri will continue to serve as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff.
As part of efforts to strengthen operational leadership and combat readiness, Brigadier General IB Buhari has been appointed Commander, Headquarters 63 Brigade, while Brigadier General K. Rabiu will head Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.
The Army also announced the appointment of Major General SA Emmanuel as Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command, a move it described as reinforcing the service’s growing emphasis on technology-driven security operations and emerging domains of warfare.
At the Defence Headquarters, Major General O. Adegbe has been appointed Director of Intelligence and Security.
The redeployment also covers military training and education institutions. Major General KE Chigbu has been appointed Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College, while Major General SD Makolo becomes Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armour School.
Major General SO Adejimi has been named Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, while Major General FS Etim assumes office as Chief of Training at the Headquarters, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Nigerian Army. Brigadier General U. Ahmad has also been appointed Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
In the Army’s administrative and corporate establishments, Major General KO Ukandu has been appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited, while Major General AI Allison takes over as Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.
Lieutenant General Oluyede urged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence reposed in them through exemplary leadership, professionalism, innovation and unwavering commitment to the Nigerian Army’s constitutional responsibility of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authorities in maintaining peace and security.
He reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to its ongoing transformation agenda, stressing that the service remains focused on building a highly professional, combat-ready and people-oriented force capable of addressing both current and emerging security challenges in pursuit of Nigeria’s national security objectives.
