The Nigerian Army has carried out a major reshuffle of its senior officers, announcing fresh appointments and redeployments across operational commands, training institutions and strategic departments as part of efforts to strengthen national security and improve its response to the country’s security challenges.
The changes, approved by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, affect General Officers Commanding (GOCs), brigade commanders, commandants of military institutions and principal staff officers at the Army Headquarters.
The Army said the redeployment was designed to improve operational effectiveness, strengthen leadership in critical formations and enhance the capacity of the service to deal with emerging security threats across the country.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele.
According to the statement, the reshuffle reflects the Army’s continued commitment to building a more professional, combat-ready and technology-driven force capable of protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and supporting civil authorities in maintaining internal security.
One of the major changes announced is the appointment of Major General WM Dangana as the new General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE. He takes over from Major General EF Oyinlola.
The 3 Division, headquartered in Jos, Plateau State, plays a key role in military operations across parts of North-Central Nigeria, particularly in tackling insecurity, communal clashes and other violent crimes affecting the region.
The Army also appointed Major General EI Okoro as the new General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE, replacing Major General EE Emeka.
The 6 Division is responsible for military operations in the oil-rich Niger Delta, where troops are engaged in protecting critical national assets, fighting crude oil theft, illegal refining and other criminal activities threatening Nigeria’s economy.
As part of the new postings, Major General JR Lar was appointed Commander of the Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola will serve as Acting Military Secretary (Army), one of the key administrative positions responsible for personnel management and career development within the Nigerian Army.
The Army also retained Brigadier General I. Waziri as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff, ensuring continuity in one of the service’s most important administrative offices.
To strengthen field operations, Brigadier General IB Buhari has been appointed Commander of Headquarters 63 Brigade, while Brigadier General K. Rabiu will head Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.
These appointments are expected to reinforce operational leadership at the brigade level, where commanders oversee troops involved in counter-insurgency, anti-banditry, internal security and other military operations across different parts of the country.
In what observers see as a reflection of changing military priorities, the Army also announced the appointment of Major General SA Emmanuel as Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command.
According to the statement, the appointment underscores the Army’s increasing focus on technology, intelligence gathering and emerging domains of warfare.
In recent years, modern armed forces around the world have invested heavily in cyber security, satellite technology, surveillance systems and intelligence-driven operations to address increasingly sophisticated security threats. Nigeria has also continued to expand its capabilities in these areas as insecurity evolves.
The reshuffle also affected the Defence Headquarters, where Major General O. Adegbe was appointed Director of Intelligence and Security.
The position is considered one of the most strategic within the military because it oversees intelligence gathering, security assessments and coordination of information that supports military operations nationwide.
The Army also announced several appointments aimed at strengthening military education and professional development.
Major General KE Chigbu has been named Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College, Nigeria’s highest military training institution for senior officers and strategic-level leadership development.
Similarly, Major General SD Makolo was appointed Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armour School, where officers and soldiers receive specialised training in armoured warfare and the operation of tanks and other combat vehicles.
Major General SO Adejimi will now serve as Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, while Major General FS Etim has been appointed Chief of Training at the Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC).
TRADOC is responsible for developing military doctrine, coordinating training programmes and ensuring that troops are adequately prepared for both conventional and asymmetric warfare.
The Army also appointed Brigadier General U. Ahmad as Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
The Depot is one of the Army’s most important training institutions and serves as the primary centre for the training of new soldiers before they are deployed to various units across the country.
The reshuffle also extended to military-owned organisations.
Major General KO Ukandu has been appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited, while Major General AI Allison becomes the new Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.
Both organisations are responsible for property development and housing projects designed to improve the welfare of military personnel and support infrastructure development within the Armed Forces.
Colonel Anele said the Chief of Army Staff charged all the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence placed in them through exemplary leadership, professionalism and dedication to duty.
According to the statement, Lieutenant General Shaibu urged the officers to embrace innovation and remain committed to the Army’s constitutional responsibility of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authorities in maintaining peace and security.
“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,” the statement said.
The Army added that the redeployment forms part of its ongoing transformation agenda aimed at improving operational efficiency and ensuring that commanders are properly positioned to respond to both current and future security challenges.
Nigeria continues to face multiple security threats, including terrorism in the North-East, banditry and kidnappings in the North-West and North-Central, separatist violence in parts of the South-East, oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta, as well as other organised crimes across the country.
Military authorities have frequently reviewed command structures and redeployed senior officers as part of efforts to introduce fresh strategies, improve coordination and sustain ongoing operations in various theatres.
With the latest changes, attention will now turn to how the new commanders implement their mandates as the Nigerian Army continues its campaign against insecurity and works to strengthen public confidence in its operations across the country.