The Nigerian Army has carried out a major reshuffle of its senior cadre, redeploying nine Major-Generals and five Brigadier-Generals to key operational theatres and other strategic positions as part of efforts to strengthen its response to the country’s evolving security challenges.
The Major-Generals are I. A Ajose, A.E Abubakar, AM Alechenu, RT Utsaha, Maj.-Gen. A.M Umar, Maj.-Gen. U.M Alkali, G. S Muhammed, J.E Osifo and I.E Ekpenyong.
The five Brigadier-Generals are M.S Adamu, M.S. Sule, E. Azenda, A.S Bugaje and A. A Bello.
In the changes approved by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Maj.-Gen. Ajose of the Department of Army Operations, Army Headquarters, is the new Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force Northeast, known as Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK).
Ajose takes over from Maj. Gen. Abubakar, who becomes Dean, Faculty of Operational Research of the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC).
Maj.-Gen Alechenu was moved from the Defence Headquarters Garrison to the NAHFC, while Maj.-Gen. Utsaha of the Department of Army Standards and Evaluation, Army Headquarters, was appointed Commander, Defence Headquarters Garrison.
Maj.-Gen. Umar was moved from the Army Headquarters, Department of Civil-Military Affairs, to the Army War College Nigeria as commandant. Maj.-Gen. Alkali was deployed from the college to the Department of Civil-Military Affairs.
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While Maj.-Gen Muhammed was moved from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation as director-general, Maj.-Gen. Osifo of the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation was transferred to the Military Pensions Board as chairman.
Maj.-Gen. Ekpenyong was redeployed to the Defence Headquarters, Department of Defence Logistics, as director of Engineering Services.
At the brigade and divisional levels, Brig.-Gen. Bello was moved from 6 Division Garrison/Sector 3, Joint Task Force Southsouth, Operation Delta Safe to the Defence Headquarters, Department of Defence Operations.
Also, Brig.-Gen. Adamu was appointed commander of the newly established 8 Brigade, following his redeployment from the Nigerian Army Women Command, while Brig.-Gen Sule was moved from the Special Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace to command 27 Task Force Brigade.
Brig.-Gen. Sule was moved from the Directorate of Recruitment Management to become the commander, 6 Division Garrison, while Brig.-Gen. Azenda was transferred from Land Forces Simulation Centre to 2 Division Garrison as commander.
The former Commander, 2 Division Garrison, Brig.-Gen. Bugaje was redeployed to the Land Forces Simulation Centre as director of Administration.
Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, said in a statement yesterday that the redeployments were aimed at strengthening operational effectiveness and aligning the Army’s command structure with the changing security environment.
Col. Anele added that the COAS charged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence reposed in them through exemplary leadership, operational innovation and professionalism.
According to her, the officers are also expected to remain committed to the constitutional mandate of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
She said Shaibu urged the officers to maintain an unwavering commitment to duty and support civil authorities in maintaining peace and security across the country.
The Army spokesperson added that the new leadership structure was expected to enhance operational outcomes, strengthen joint and inter-agency coordination and improve the service’s capacity to respond decisively to contemporary and emerging security threats.
