The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the strategic redeployment of senior officers to key command, operational and staff positions across the Nigerian Army as part of efforts to enhance operational effectiveness and strengthen leadership.

The exercise is designed to align the Army’s command structure with Nigeria’s evolving security environment while ensuring that critical operational theatres are led by officers with the right experience, expertise and leadership capacity.

According to the Army, the redeployment prioritises key operational theatres and strategic appointments to position the right commanders and staff officers to deliver decisive results and improve the effectiveness of ongoing military operations

This came just as the Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Retd), on Wednesday visited the Nigerian Navy School of Armament Technology. Kachia, Kaduna

Major General Ibikunle Ademola Ajose replaces Operation Hadin Kai chief less than two years into his tenure to oversee military operations against Boko Haram and its Islamic State-backed splinter group in the country’s northeast, replacing the operation’s chief less than two years after he assumed the role, the army said on Wednesday.

Major General Ibikunle Ademola Ajose, who previously served at Army Headquarters in Abuja, takes over as commander of Operation Hadin Kai from Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, who became the operation’s 15th commander in April 2025.

The change comes ahead of presidential elections scheduled for January, with insecurity remaining a major concern after years of insurgency, banditry and kidnappings across parts of the country.

The Boko Haram insurgency and the activities of its splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have killed more than 40,000 people and displaced millions since 2009, according to data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED).

Security concerns disrupted voting in parts of northeastern Nigeria during the last presidential election and remain a major challenge ahead of next year’s polls.

The army did not link the latest leadership change to any recent attacks in the northeast. Instead, it said the appointment was part of a wider military shake-up involving 14 other generals.

The reshuffle is aimed at improving operational effectiveness, strengthening leadership and aligning command structures with Nigeria’s evolving security challenges, army spokesperson Appolonia Anele said in a statement.