Army Appoints New Commanders Amid Major Reshuffle

The Nigerian Army has undergone a major reshuffle, with several high-ranking officers appointed to new positions. The single sharpest fact in one or two punchy sentences. Who did what, where, when, and why it matters. Not a summary of everything — the one thing that makes someone stop scrolling.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu has approved the appointment of new General Officers Commanding for 6 Division, Port Harcourt and 3 Division, Jos, as well as a new Commander for Army Headquarters Garrison. Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col Appolonia Anele, in a statement on Saturday, said the “strategic reshuffling of senior officers across key operational, command, training and staff appointments within the Nigerian Army (NA) is part of ongoing efforts to enhance operational effectiveness, strengthen national security and consolidate the Army’s capacity to address emerging security challenges across the country.”

Major General WM Dangana has been appointed General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace, replacing Major General EF Oyinlola. Major General EI Okoro takes over as General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander Joint Task Force South-South Operation Delta Safe, replacing Major General EE Emeka. Major General JR Lar has been appointed Commander Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola assumes office as Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I Waziri remains in the Office of the COAS as Chief of Staff.

Also, as part of efforts to deepen operational leadership and force readiness, Brigadier General IB Buhari has been appointed Commander Headquarters 63 Brigade, while Brigadier General K Rabiu takes command of Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade. Major General SA Emmanuel has been appointed Commander Nigerian Army Space Command, reinforcing the Army’s growing focus on emerging domains of warfare and technology-driven security operations. Major General O Adegbe has also been appointed Director of Intelligence and Security at Defence Headquarters.

In the area of professional military education and institutional development, Major General KE Chigbu has been appointed Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College while Major General SD Makolo has been appointed Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armour School. Major General SO Adejimi becomes Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, and Major General FS Etim has been appointed Chief of Training at Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA). Brigadier General U Ahmad takes over as Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria. Other appointments include Major General KO Ukandu as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited (PHDL) and Major General AI Allison as Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.

The COAS charged the newly appointed senior officers to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating exemplary leadership, professionalism, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the Nigerian Army’s constitutional mandate of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity, and supporting civil authority in maintaining peace and security across the nation.

The Nigerian Army remains resolute in its transformation drive and commitment to building a highly professional, combat-ready, and people-oriented force capable of effectively addressing contemporary and future security challenges in pursuit of Nigeria’s national security objectives. The statement added that the reshuffle aims to enhance operational effectiveness, strengthen national security, and consolidate the Army’s capacity to address emerging security challenges across the country.

It is worth noting Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu has served in various capacities within the Nigerian Army, including as a former Commander of the Nigerian Army Education Corps. He has also served as a staff officer at the Nigerian Army Headquarters and has participated in several military operations.

The Nigerian Army has a long history of military coups and reshuffles, dating back to the country’s independence in 1960. The current military leadership has been in power since 2015, when the former President Goodluck Jonathan was overthrown in a military-led coup.

The Nigerian Army’s transformation drive aims to modernize the military and enhance its operational capabilities to effectively address emerging security challenges. The drive has seen significant investments in military equipment, training, and technology, including the acquisition of new aircraft, armored vehicles, and communication systems.

The new appointments are a significant step in the Army’s transformation drive, with the newly appointed senior officers expected to play a crucial role in enhancing operational effectiveness and strengthening national security.