Nigerian Army Names New GOCs, Brigade Commanders in Strategic Reshuffle

The Nigerian Army has announced a major reshuffle of its senior officers, approving strategic appointments and redeployments across operational, command, training and administrative formations as part of efforts to strengthen national security and improve operational effectiveness nationwide.

The changes were contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, who said the postings were approved by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, to enhance the Army’s capacity to tackle emerging security challenges across the country.

According to the statement, the redeployment affects General Officers Commanding (GOCs), brigade commanders, commandants of military institutions and principal staff officers at the Army Headquarters.

Under the new appointments, Major General WM Dangana has been named the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, taking over from Major General EF Oyinlola.

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Similarly, Major General EI Okoro has been appointed GOC 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE, succeeding Major General EE Emeka.

Major General JR Lar has been appointed Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola assumes office as Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I Waziri retains his position as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff.

To strengthen operational leadership, Brigadier General IB Buhari has been appointed Commander, Headquarters 63 Brigade, while Brigadier General K Rabiu becomes Commander, Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.

In line with the Army’s growing emphasis on technology-driven security operations, Major General SA Emmanuel has been appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command.

“The appointment reinforces the Army’s growing focus on emerging domains of warfare and technology-driven security operations,” the statement noted.

Also, Major General O Adegbe has been appointed Director of Intelligence and Security at the Defence Headquarters.

In the area of military education and institutional development, Major General KE Chigbu has been named Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College, while Major General SD Makolo takes over as Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armour School.

Other appointments include Major General SO Adejimi as Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, and Major General FS Etim as Chief of Training at the Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Nigerian Army.

Brigadier General U Ahmad has also been appointed Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.

The reshuffle further saw Major General KO Ukandu appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited, while Major General AI Allison becomes Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.

Charging the newly appointed officers, the Chief of Army Staff urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them through exemplary leadership, professionalism, innovation and unwavering commitment to the Army’s constitutional responsibilities.

“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,” the statement said.

It added that the Nigerian Army remains committed to its ongoing transformation agenda of building a highly professional, combat-ready and people-oriented force capable of effectively addressing current and future security challenges in pursuit of Nigeria’s national security objectives.