The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved a major reshuffle of senior officers across the Nigerian Army, appointing new General Officers Commanding (GOCs), principal staff officers, and commanders in key operational and administrative positions.
The changes include the appointment of new GOCs for the 3 Division in Jos and the 6 Division in Port Harcourt, as well as a new Commander for the Army Headquarters Garrison.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said the redeployments form part of the Army’s ongoing efforts to enhance operational effectiveness, strengthen national security, and improve its capacity to respond to emerging security threats across the country.
According to the statement, Major General WM Dangana has been appointed General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace, replacing Major General EF Oyinlola.
Similarly, Major General EI Okoro has assumed office as General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force South-South Operation Delta Safe, taking over from Major General EE Emeka.
Major General JR Lar has been named Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola has been appointed Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I Waziri will continue to serve as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff.
As part of efforts to strengthen operational leadership and combat readiness, Brigadier General IB Buhari has been appointed Commander of Headquarters 63 Brigade, while Brigadier General K Rabiu will lead Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.
The Army also announced the appointment of Major General SA Emmanuel as Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command, a move aimed at enhancing the service’s capabilities in emerging warfare domains and technology-driven security operations.
In another key appointment, Major General O Adegbe has been posted as Director of Intelligence and Security at Defence Headquarters.
Within the area of military training and institutional development, Major General KE Chigbu has been appointed Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College, while Major General SD Makolo becomes Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armour School.
Major General SO Adejimi has been named Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, while Major General FS Etim assumes duty as Chief of Training at the Headquarters, Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA). Brigadier General U Ahmad has also been appointed Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
The reshuffle further includes the appointment of Major General KO Ukandu as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited (PHDL), while Major General AI Allison takes over as Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.
Lieutenant General Shaibu charged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence reposed in them through exemplary leadership, professionalism, innovation, and unwavering commitment to duty.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to its transformation agenda, stressing that the service remains focused on building a highly professional, combat-ready, and people-oriented force capable of addressing both current and future security challenges in line with Nigeria’s national security objectives.
