The Nigerian Army has announced a major redeployment of senior officers, including the Theatre Commander of Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, as part of efforts to strengthen operational efficiency and enhance its command structure.
The redeployments, approved by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, are aimed at aligning leadership expertise with the country’s evolving security challenges and improving operational effectiveness across key formations.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, who said the exercise focused on critical operational theatres as well as strategic command and staff appointments.
Under the new postings, Major General IA Ajose has been moved from the Army Headquarters Department of Army Operations to assume duty as Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, succeeding Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar.
Abubakar has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC), where he will serve as Dean of the Faculty of Operational Research. Also, Major General AM Alechenu has been transferred from Defence Headquarters Garrison to the NAHFC.
In other changes, Major General RT Utsaha moves from the Department of Army Standards and Evaluation to Defence Headquarters Garrison as Commander, while Major General AM Umar has been appointed Commandant of the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN), having previously served in the Department of Civil-Military Affairs. Major General UM Alkali will take over Umar’s former role at Army Headquarters.
The reshuffle also affects several administrative and strategic positions. Major General GS Muhammed has been redeployed from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation (NAFIC) as Director-General, while Major General JE Osifo moves from NAFIC to become Chairman of the Military Pension Board.
Similarly, Major General IE Ekpenyong has been appointed Director of Engineering Services at the Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Logistics.
At the brigadier-general level, Brigadier General AA Bello has been transferred from 6 Division Garrison/Sector 3, Operation Delta Safe, to the Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Operations. Brigadier General MS Adamu leaves the Nigerian Army Women Command to take charge of the newly established 8 Brigade as Commander.
Brigadier General MS Sule has been redeployed from Operation Enduring Peace to serve as Commander of the 27 Task Force Brigade, while Brigadier General I Sule moves from the Directorate of Recruitment Management to become Commander of 6 Division Garrison.
Also affected by the redeployment are Brigadier General E Azenda, who has been appointed Commander of 2 Division Garrison, and Brigadier General AS Bugaje, who moves to the Land Forces Simulation Centre as Director of Administration.
Lieutenant General Shaibu charged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating exemplary leadership, professionalism, innovation, and commitment to duty.
He urged them to remain focused on the Nigerian Army’s constitutional responsibility of defending the nation’s sovereignty, safeguarding its territorial integrity, and supporting civil authorities in maintaining peace and security.
According to Anele, the Army remains committed to sustaining a dynamic leadership framework capable of improving operational outcomes, strengthening joint and inter-agency collaboration, and responding effectively to emerging security threats.
She noted that the latest redeployments form part of ongoing efforts to advance Nigeria’s national security objectives through strategic deployment of military expertise and effective leadership across the Service.
