Army Reshuffles Top Command, Names New Theatre Commander
By Nafiu Muhammad Lema
The Nigerian Army has carried out a major reshuffle of its senior leadership, redeploying several generals and brigadier generals to strategic command, operational and administrative positions across the Service.
The postings were approved by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, as part of efforts to strengthen operational effectiveness, improve leadership coordination and reposition the Army to respond more effectively to Nigeria’s changing security challenges.
The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, disclosed the development in a statement shared on the Nigerian Army’s X handle on Wednesday.
According to her, the latest posting exercise places emphasis on critical operational theatres and strategic appointments, with the objective of ensuring that the “right leadership, experience and expertise” are deployed to areas where they are most needed.
One of the major changes is the appointment of Major General IA Ajose as the new Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI. He was previously serving at the Army Headquarters Department of Army Operations.
His predecessor, Major General AE Abubakar, has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre as Dean, Faculty of Operational Research.
Other senior appointments include the redeployment of Major General AM Alechenu from Defence Headquarters Garrison to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, while Major General RT Utsaha moves from the Army Headquarters Department of Army Standards and Evaluation to Defence Headquarters Garrison as Commander.
Major General AM Umar has been appointed Commandant of the Army War College Nigeria after his redeployment from the Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs. Major General UM Alkali, meanwhile, moves from the Army War College Nigeria to the Department of Civil-Military Affairs.
Also, Major General GS Muhammed has been redeployed from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation as Director General.
Major General JE Osifo moves from the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation to the Military Pension Board as Chairman, while Major General IE Ekpenyong has been posted to the Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Logistics as Director, Engineering Services.
The reshuffle also affected several operational and brigade-level appointments.
Brigadier General AA Bello has been redeployed from 6 Division Garrison/Sector 3 Joint Task Force South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE, to the Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Operations.
Brigadier General MS Adamu has been appointed Commander of the newly established 8 Brigade following his redeployment from the Nigerian Army Women Command.
Similarly, Brigadier General MS Sule has moved from Special Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE to take charge as Commander of 27 Task Force Brigade, while Brigadier General I Sule has been redeployed from the Directorate of Recruitment Management to become Commander, 6 Division Garrison.
Brigadier General E Azenda has also been appointed Commander, 2 Division Garrison, after his redeployment from the Land Forces Simulation Centre. His position at the centre will now be occupied by Brigadier General AS Bugaje, who moves from 2 Division Garrison as Director, Administration.
The Army said the newly appointed commanders and senior officers are expected to bring their experience and expertise to bear in their respective assignments.
The Chief of Army Staff charged the officers to justify the confidence placed in them through “exemplary leadership, operational innovation, professionalism and unwavering commitment to duty.”
