The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved a major reshuffle of senior officers, appointing new General Officers Commanding (GOCs) for the 3 and 6 divisions, a new Commander of Army Headquarters Garrison, and several principal staff officers across the Nigerian Army.
The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said in a statement on Saturday that the strategic redeployment is aimed at enhancing operational effectiveness, strengthening national security and improving the Army’s capacity to tackle emerging security challenges.
Under the new postings, Major General WM Dangana has been appointed General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace, replacing Major General EF Oyinlola. Major General EI Okoro takes over as General Officer Commanding 6 Division and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force South-South Operation Delta Safe, succeeding Major General EE Emeka.
Major General JR Lar has been named Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola assumes office as Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I Waziri retains his position as Chief of Staff to the COAS.
The reshuffle also saw Brigadier General IB Buhari appointed Commander, Headquarters 63 Brigade, and Brigadier General K Rabiu posted to Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade as Commander.
Major General SA Emmanuel has been appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command, while Major General O Adegbe becomes Director of Intelligence and Security at Defence Headquarters.
In the training and education sector, Major General KE Chigbu has been appointed Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College, Major General SD Makolo becomes Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armour School, and Major General SO Adejimi takes over as Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport. Major General FS Etim has been appointed Chief of Training at Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), while Brigadier General U Ahmad assumes duty as Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
Other appointments include Major General KO Ukandu as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited and Major General AI Allison as Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.
Lieutenant General Shaibu charged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence reposed in them through exemplary leadership, professionalism, innovation and unwavering commitment to the Army’s constitutional mandate of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authorities in maintaining peace and security.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to building a highly professional, combat-ready and people-oriented force capable of effectively addressing the country’s evolving security challenges.
