Army redeploys senior officers in major shake-up

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has approved the posting and appointment of several senior officers of the Nigerian Army (NA) to various command, staff, and instructional positions in a major shake-up.

A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, described the development as a move to enhance operational effectiveness and administrative efficiency.

He explained that the redeployment involves Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) at the Army Headquarters (AHQ), General Officers Commanding (GOCs), Corps Commanders, Commandants of Army training institutions, Brigade Commanders, and other key positions.

He said, “The reshuffling underscores the Nigerian Army’s commitment to ensuring a robust and dynamic leadership structure capable of addressing emerging security challenges.”

Among the senior officers appointed as PSOs at the Army Headquarters are Maj Gen Lawrence Fejokwu, from the National Defence College to the Department of Army Administration, appointed

Chief of Administration (Army); 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, from the Nigerian Army Resource Centre to the Department of Army Training, appointed Chief of Training (Army).

Other movements include Maj Gen OS Abai from the Department of Army Training to the Department of Army Transformation and Innovation as Chief of Transformation and Innovation; Maj Gen JH Abdussalam from Headquarters 6 Division to the Department of Special Services and Programmes, appointed Chief 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).

READ ALSO: Army redeploys senior officers

Senior officers appointed as General Officers Commanding (GOCs) include Maj Gen OT Olatoye, from the Nigerian Army School of Infantry to Headquarters 82 Division/Joint Task Force (JTF) South East Operation UDO KA (OPUK), appointed GOC 82 Division/Commander JTF OPUK; Maj Gen EF Oyinlola, from the Department of Military Secretary to Headquarters 3 Division, appointed GOC 3 Division/Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH); 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 been confirmed as substantive in the recent redeployment.

Other significant redeployments include Maj Gen GO Adeshina, from Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, appointed Director General; Maj Gen GM Mutkut, from the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre to Headquarters Multi-National Joint Task Force, N’Djamena, appointed Force Commander; Maj Gen MC Kangye, from Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery to Defence Headquarters, appointed Director Media Operations.

Several officers have also been appointed as Corps Commanders, Commandants, and Directors in various departments. The Chief of Army Staff has directed all newly appointed officers to bring renewed vigour, dedication, and commitment to their duties, particularly in sustaining the ongoing onslaught against terrorism, insurgency, and other threats to national security.

He further stressed the importance of prioritising troop welfare as they assume their new roles.