By Desire Emmanuel
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reshuffled the army command positions with the movement of senior officers across key operational, command, training and staff.
This, the Nigerian Army said, was part of ongoing efforts to enhance operational effectiveness, strengthen national security and consolidate its capacity to address emerging security challenges across the country.
In the shake-up, Major General WM Dangana became the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and also doubles as Commander Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, replacing Major General EF Oyinlola.
Also, Major General EI Okoro takes over as General Officer Commanding 6 Division and doubles as Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE, replacing Major General EE Emeka.
Major General JR Lar became the Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola assumes office as Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I Waziri remains in the Office of the COAS as Chief of Staff.
Also as part of efforts to deepen operational leadership and force readiness, Brigadier General IB Buhari became the Commander, Headquarters 63 Brigade, while Brigadier General K Rabiu takes command of Headquarters, 31 Artillery Brigade.
Major General SA Emmanuel has been appointed Commander, Nigerian Army Space Command, reinforcing the Army’s growing focus on emerging domains of warfare and technology-driven security operations. Major General O Adegbe has also been appointed Director Intelligence and Security at Defence Headquarters.
In the area of professional military education and institutional development, Major General KE Chigbu became the Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College while Major General SD Makolo was appointed Commandant, Nigerian Army Armour School, Major General SO Adejimi became Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport.
Major General FS Etim has been appointed Chief of Training at Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA) while Brigadier General U Ahmad takes over as Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
Other appointments included Major General KO Ukandu as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited (PHDL) and Major General AI Allison as Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.
According to a statement by the Nigerian Army on Saturday, June 27, the COAS charged the newly-appointed senior officers to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating exemplary leadership, professionalism, innovation and unwavering commitment to the Nigerian Army’s constitutional mandate of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authority in maintaining peace and security across the nation.
