THE Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has approved the redeployment of Theatre Commander Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar and 14 other Generals as part of ongoing efforts to enhance operational effectiveness, strengthen leadership and align the Service’s command structure with Nigeria’s evolving security environment.

In a statement on Wednesday, Army Spokesperson, Col. Appolonia Anele, said the movement prioritises critical operational theatres and strategic appointments to ensure the right leadership, experience and expertise are positioned to deliver decisive effects.

Anele said that in the new postings, Major General I.A. Ajose moves from Army Headquarters (AHQ), Department of Army Operations, to Theatre Command Joint Task Force (JTF) North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), as Theatre Commander, while Major General A.E. Abubakar has been redeployed from OPHK, to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC) as Dean, Faculty of Operational Research.

According to her, Major General A.M. Alechenu moves from Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Garrison to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, while Major General R.T. Utsaha moves from AHQ Department of Army Standards and Evaluation to DHQ Garrison as Commander.

Similarly, Major General A.M. Umar moves from AHQ Department of Civil-Military Affairs (DCMA) to Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) as Commandant, while Major General UM Alkali moves from AWCN to AHQ DCMA.

Major General G.S. Muhammed moves from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation (NAFIC) as Director General, as Major General J.E. Osifo moves from NAFIC to the Military Pension Board (MPB) as Chairman.

Under the posting, Anele said that Major General I.E. Ekpenyong has been redeployed to DHQ Department of Defence Logistics as Director Engineering Services.

“At the operational level, Brigadier General A.A. Bello moves from 6 Division Garrison/Sector 3 JTF South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE, to DHQ Department of Defence Operations.

“Brigadier General M.S. Adamu has been redeployed from Nigerian Army Women Command to the newly established 8 Brigade as Commander, while Brigadier General M.S. Sule moves from Special Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE to 27 Task Force Brigade as Commander.

Also, Brigadier General I Sule, has been redeployed from the Directorate of Recruitment Management to 6 Division Garrison as Commander, while Brigadier General E Azenda, moves from Land Forces Simulation Centre to 2 Division Garrison as Commander and Brigadier General A.S. Bugaje, moves from 2 Division Garrison to the Land Forces Simulation Centre as Director Administration.

The COAS has charged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence reposed in them through exemplary leadership, operational innovation, professionalism and unwavering commitment to duty and relentless focused on the constitutional mandate of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authority in maintaining peace and security.

He said the Army remains resolute in sustaining a dynamic leadership and force-employment framework that enhances operational outcomes, strengthens joint and inter-agency coordination and improves the capacity of the Service to respond decisively to contemporary and emerging threats in furtherance of Nigeria’s national security objectives.