ARMY MOVES SENIOR GENERALS IN MAJOR LEADERSHIP RESHUFFLE

The Nigerian Army has announced a major redeployment of senior officers to key command, operational and administrative positions across the service. The changes were approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, as part of efforts to improve operational effectiveness and align the Army’s leadership structure with Nigeria’s changing security challenges.

Under the new appointments, Major General I.A. Ajose has moved from the Army Headquarters Department of Army Operations to become the Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai. He replaces Major General A.E. Abubakar, who has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre as Dean of the Faculty of Operational Research. Major General A.M. Alechenu has also been posted to the Heritage and Future Centre, while Major General R.T. Utsaha becomes Commander of the Defence Headquarters Garrison.

Other senior appointments include Major General A.M. Umar, who moves to the Army War College Nigeria as Commandant, while Major General U.M. Alkali takes over Umar’s former position in the Department of Civil-Military Affairs. Major General G.S. Muhammed has been appointed Director-General of the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation after moving from the Office of the National Security Adviser, while Major General J.E. Osifo moves from the corporation to become Chairman of the Military Pension Board.

At the operational level, several brigadier generals were also reassigned. Brigadier General M.S. Adamu becomes Commander of the newly established 8 Brigade, while Brigadier General M.S. Sule takes charge of 27 Task Force Brigade. Brigadier General I. Sule moves to 6 Division Garrison as Commander, while Brigadier General E. Azenda becomes Commander of 2 Division Garrison. Brigadier General A.S. Bugaje, who previously headed the 2 Division Garrison, has been posted to the Land Forces Simulation Centre as Director of Administration.

The Army said the postings were intended to place officers with the required experience and expertise in critical operational theatres and strategic positions. General Shaibu charged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence placed in them through professionalism, innovation and strong leadership, while remaining focused on the constitutional responsibility of protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security.