The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved a major redeployment of 19 senior officers, including General Officers Commanding (GOCs), field commanders, commandants of military institutions and principal staff officers, as part of efforts to strengthen the Nigerian Army’s operational effectiveness against terrorism, banditry and other security threats.
The redeployment, announced on Saturday, is aimed at injecting fresh leadership into key operational formations and enhancing the army’s response to evolving security challenges across the country.
Among the appointments, Major General WM Dangana has been named the new General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, succeeding Major General EF Oyinlola.
Major General EI Okoro has been appointed GOC 6 Division Nigerian Army and will also serve as Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force Operation DELTA SAFE, taking over from Major General EE Emeka.
In other changes, Major General JR Lar has been appointed Commander of the Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola assumes duty as Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I Waziri will continue in his role as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff.
The redeployment also reflects the army’s growing emphasis on technology and modern warfare. Major General SA Emmanuel has been appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command, a strategic formation responsible for enhancing the army’s capabilities in space and emerging technologies.
Several officers were also assigned to command frontline brigades and intelligence formations to improve operational readiness across the country.
The reshuffle extends to the army’s training and educational institutions. Major General KE Chigbu has been appointed Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College, while Major General SD Makolo becomes Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armour School. Major General SO Adejimi will head the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, and Major General FS Etim has been named Chief of Training at the Headquarters of the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC).
Brigadier General U. Ahmad has also been appointed Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria, where he will oversee recruit training.
Beyond operational and training appointments, the army also approved changes in its corporate establishments. Major General KO Ukandu has been appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited (PHDL), while Major General AI Allison takes over as Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.
Announcing the redeployment in a statement, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said the appointments were part of ongoing efforts to improve operational efficiency and strengthen leadership across the service.
Lieutenant General Shaibu urged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating professionalism, innovation and exemplary leadership in their respective assignments. He also charged them to remain committed to the army’s constitutional responsibility of defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity and addressing the country’s security challenges.