Nigerian Army redeploys senior officers to boost operations

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the strategic redeployment of senior officers to key command, operational and staff positions across the Nigerian Army.

The redeployment is aimed at enhancing operational effectiveness, strengthening leadership and aligning the Army’s command structure with Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

A statement issued on Wednesday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said the exercise prioritised critical operational theatres and strategic appointments to ensure experienced officers are deployed to positions where they can deliver optimal results.

Under the new postings, Major General IA Ajose has been moved from the Army Headquarters Department of Army Operations to the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, where he will serve as Theatre Commander.

Major General AE Abubakar, who previously served in Operation HADIN KAI, has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre as Dean of the Faculty of Operational Research.

Major General AM Alechenu has been transferred from the 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 the Defence Headquarters Garrison as Commander.

Also redeployed are Major General AM Umar, who moves from the Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs to the Army War College Nigeria as Commandant, and Major General UM Alkali, who takes over from him at the Department of Civil-Military Affairs.

Major General GS Muhammed has been moved from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation as Director General, while Major General JE Osifo moves from the corporation to the Military Pension Board as Chairman.

Major General IE Ekpenyong has also been redeployed to the Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Logistics as Director of Engineering Services.

At the operational level, Brigadier General AA Bello has been transferred from 6 Division Garrison and Sector 3 of the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE, to the Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Operations.

Brigadier General MS Adamu has been redeployed from the Nigerian Army Women Command to the newly established 8 Brigade as Commander, while Brigadier General MS Sule moves from the Special Task Force, Operation ENDURING PEACE, to the 27 Task Force Brigade as Commander.

Similarly, Brigadier General I Sule has been moved from the Directorate of Recruitment Management to 6 Division Garrison as Commander.

Brigadier General E Azenda moves from the Land Forces Simulation Centre to 2 Division Garrison as Commander, while Brigadier General AS Bugaje has been transferred from 2 Division Garrison to the Land Forces Simulation Centre as Director of Administration.

Shaibu charged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence reposed in them through exemplary leadership, operational innovation, professionalism and commitment to duty.

He urged them to remain focused on the Army’s constitutional mandate of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authorities in maintaining peace and security.

The Army said it remained committed to sustaining a dynamic leadership and force-employment framework aimed at improving operational outcomes, strengthening joint and inter-agency coordination and enhancing its capacity to respond to emerging security threats.