The Nigerian Army has approved a major redeployment of senior officers to key command, operational and staff positions as part of efforts to strengthen operational effectiveness, improve leadership and enhance the military’s response to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
In a statement, Acting Director Army Public Relations Colonel Appolonia Anele said the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, approved the postings, which place experienced commanders in critical operational theatres and strategic appointments considered essential to the Army’s ongoing force-employment and leadership reforms.
Under the new arrangement, Major General IA Ajose has been moved from the Army Headquarters (AHQ), Department of Army Operations, to the Theatre Command, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, as Theatre Commander.
His predecessor, Major General AE Abubakar, has been redeployed from Operation HADIN KAI to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC), where he will serve as Dean, Faculty of Operational Research.
Major General AM Alechenu has also been transferred from the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Garrison to the NAHFC, while Major General RT Utsaha moves from the AHQ Department of Army Standards and Evaluation to the DHQ Garrison as Commander.
In other senior appointments, Major General AM Umar moves from the AHQ Department of Civil-Military Affairs to the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) as Commandant, while Major General UM Alkali moves from the AWCN to the AHQ Department of Civil-Military Affairs.
Major General GS Muhammed has been redeployed from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation (NAFIC) as Director General. Major General JE Osifo moves from NAFIC to the Military Pension Board as Chairman, while Major General IE Ekpenyong has been posted to the DHQ Department of Defence Logistics as Director, Engineering Services.
At the operational level, Brigadier General AA Bello moves from the 6 Division Garrison/Sector 3 Joint Task Force South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE, to the DHQ Department of Defence Operations.
Brigadier General MS Adamu has been redeployed from the Nigerian Army Women Command to take charge as Commander of the newly established 8 Brigade, while Brigadier General MS Sule moves from Special Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE to assume command of 27 Task Force Brigade.
Similarly, Brigadier General I Sule has been transferred from the Directorate of Recruitment Management to the 6 Division Garrison as Commander. Brigadier General E Azenda moves from the Land Forces Simulation Centre to the 2 Division Garrison as Commander, while Brigadier General AS Bugaje moves from the 2 Division Garrison to the Land Forces Simulation Centre as Director, Administration.
The COAS charged the newly appointed commanders and senior officers to justify the confidence reposed in them through exemplary leadership, operational innovation, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to duty.
He urged them to remain focused on the constitutional mandate of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, safeguarding its territorial integrity and supporting civil authorities in maintaining peace and security across the country.
The Army said the latest postings were designed to maintain a dynamic leadership and force-employment framework capable of improving operational outcomes, strengthening joint and inter-agency coordination and enhancing the Service’s capacity to respond decisively to contemporary and emerging security threats.
It reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Nigeria’s national security objectives through effective leadership, operational readiness and sustained professionalism.
