Army Redeploys Senior Officers in Major Shake-up

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has approved the redeployment of several senior officers within the Nigerian Army, making changes to key command, staff, and instructional positions across the force.

The reshuffling, announced on Saturday by the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, includes appointments at the highest levels, with changes affecting Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) at Army Headquarters, General Officers Commanding (GOCs), Corps Commanders, and Commandants of various training institutions.

“This move underscores the Army’s commitment to ensuring a dynamic and responsive leadership structure capable of effectively addressing contemporary security challenges facing the nation,” Major General Nwachukwu stated.

Notable Appointments at Army Headquarters

Among the senior officers appointed as PSOs at the Army Headquarters are:

• Maj Gen LA Fejokwu – Formerly with the National Defence College, now appointed Chief of Administration (Army) at the Department of Army Administration.
• Maj Gen GU Chibuisi – From the Nigerian Army Resource Centre to the Department of Civil Military Affairs, appointed Chief of Civil Military Affairs.
• Maj Gen AS Ndalolo – Also from the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, now Chief of Training (Army) at the Department of Army Training.
• Maj Gen OS Abai – From the Department of Army Training to the Department of Army Transformation and Innovation, appointed Chief of Transformation and Innovation.
• Maj Gen JH Abdussalam – Previously at Headquarters 6 Division, now appointed Chief of Special Services and Programmes at the Department of Special Services and Programmes.
• Maj Gen EI Okoro – Redeployed from the Department of Army Logistics to the Department of Military Secretary, appointed Military Secretary (Army).

Changes to General Officers Commanding (GOCs)

The Army has also made key changes in the General Officers Commanding (GOCs) positions:

• Maj Gen OT Olatoye – From Nigerian Army School of Infantry to Headquarters 82 Division/Joint Task Force (JTF) South East, appointed GOC 82 Division/Commander JTF OPUK for Operation UDO KA.
• Maj Gen EF Oyinlola – From the Department of Military Secretary to Headquarters 3 Division, appointed GOC 3 Division/Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH).
• The acting appointments of Maj Gen AGL Haruna as GOC 7 Division/Commander Sector 1 JTF North East (Operation HADIN KAI) and Maj Gen IA Ajose as GOC 8 Division/Commander Sector 2 JTF North West (Operation FANSAN YANMA) have now been confirmed as substantive.

Other Key Redeployments

Other senior officers also received new assignments:

• Maj Gen GO Adeshina – From Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals to Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, appointed Director General.
• Maj Gen GM Mutkut – From Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre to Headquarters Multi National Joint Task Force in N’Djamena, appointed Force Commander.
• Maj Gen MC Kangye – From Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery to Defence Headquarters, appointed Director of Media Operations.

New Appointments as Corps Commanders

Several senior officers have been appointed as Corps Commanders:

• Maj Gen OC Ajunwa – From Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre to Headquarters Nigerian Army Armour Corps, appointed Commander.
• Maj Gen HT Wesley – From the Department of Special Services and Programmes to Headquarters Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, appointed Commander.
• Maj Gen TT Numbere – From Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre to Headquarters Nigerian Army Engineers, appointed Commander.
• Maj Gen NC Ugbo – From the Department of Civil Military Affairs to Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals, appointed Commander.
• Maj Gen ZL Abubakar – From the Department of Army Transformation and Innovation to Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery, appointed Commander.
• Maj Gen AP Oguntola – From Nigerian Army College of Education Science and Technology to Headquarters Nigerian Army Education Corps, appointed Corps Commander.

New Commandants Appointed

There were also changes in leadership at various training institutions:

• Maj Gen JO Sokoya – Appointed Commandant, Nigerian Army Training Centre.
• Maj Gen UM Alkali – Appointed Commandant, Army War College Nigeria.
• Maj Gen FS Etim – Redeployed from the Department of Army Transformation and Innovation to Nigerian Army School of Infantry, appointed Commandant.
• Maj Gen AB Mohammed – Redeployed from the Department of Army Operations to Depot Nigerian Army, appointed Commandant.
• Maj Gen IE Ekpenyong – Now Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering.
• Maj Gen AO Adegbite – Appointed Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport.
• Brig Gen AM Umar – Redeployed from Army War College Nigeria to Warrant Officers Academy, appointed Commandant.

Army’s Focus on Security and Troop Welfare

Major General Onyema reiterated that the Chief of Army Staff has directed all newly appointed senior officers to bring renewed vigor, dedication, and commitment to their responsibilities, with particular focus on maintaining the momentum of the ongoing fight against terrorism, insurgency, and other security threats facing the nation.

“He has also charged them to prioritize the welfare of troops as they take on their new appointments, ensuring that the well-being of our soldiers remains paramount,” Onyema added.