Major shake-up in Nigerian Army, GOCs redeployed

The Nigerian Army has carried out a major shake-up of its senior leadership, redeploying General Officers Commanding (GOCs), brigade commanders and other senior officers. The redeployment, approved by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, affects key operational, command, training and staff appointments, including the leadership of major military formations and institutions. […]

The Nigerian Army has carried out a major shake-up of its senior leadership, redeploying General Officers Commanding (GOCs), brigade commanders and other senior officers.

The redeployment, approved by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, affects key operational, command, training and staff appointments, including the leadership of major military formations and institutions.

Announcing the postings in a statement on Saturday, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said the reshuffle forms part of the Army’s ongoing efforts to enhance national security and improve its operational capacity.

According to the statement, the redeployment cuts across field commanders, school commandants and principal staff officers at the Army Headquarters.

As part of the changes, Major General WM Dangana has been appointed the new General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Division Nigerian Army, and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, replacing Major General EF Oyinlola.

Similarly, Major General EI Okoro takes over as the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division Nigerian Army, and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE, succeeding Major General EE Emeka.

The Army also appointed Major General JR Lar as Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola was named Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I Waziri will continue in his current role as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff.

In further operational deployments, Brigadier General IB Buhari has been appointed Commander of Headquarters 63 Brigade, while Brigadier General K Rabiu assumes duty as Commander of Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade, a move the Army said is intended to strengthen operational leadership and combat readiness.

The reshuffle also reflects the Army’s increasing focus on technology-driven security operations, with Major General SA Emmanuel appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command.

According to the statement, the appointment “reinforces the Army’s growing focus on emerging domains of warfare and technology-driven security operations.”

Beyond field operations, the redeployment extends to intelligence, military education and institutional development.

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.

Also affected are Major General SD Makolo, who was appointed Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armour School, Major General SO Adejimi, now Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, and Major General FS Etim, who takes over as Chief of Training at the Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Nigerian Army.

Brigadier General U Ahmad was equally appointed Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.

The redeployment also includes appointments to military-owned organisations, with Major General KO Ukandu named Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited, while Major General AI Allison becomes Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.

The Army said the redeployment is designed to further strengthen its capacity to respond effectively to evolving security threats across the country.

The statement quoted the Chief of Army Staff as charging 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.”

It added 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.”