In an effort to improve the operational and administrative efficacy of the Nigerian Army, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has authorized the posting and appointment of a few senior commanders.
This was stated in a statement that Major Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, provided to Defense Correspondents in Abuja.
The statement claims that the redeployment affects critical posts such as Brigade Commanders, Corps Commanders, Commandants of Army training institutions, General Officers Commanding (GOCs), and Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) at Army Headquarters (AHQ).
According to the statement, the exercise demonstrated the Nigerian Army’s dedication to maintaining a strong and adaptable command structure that can handle new security threats.
Among the senior officers designated as PSOs at Army Headquarters are Maj Gen LA Fejokwu, who was appointed Chief of Administration (Army) and came from the National Defense College to the Department of Army Administration; Maj Gen GU Chibuisi, who was appointed Chief of Civil Military Affairs and came from the Nigerian Army Resource Center to the Department of Army Administration; and Maj Gen AS Ndalolo, who came from the Nigerian Army Resource Center to the Department of Army Training and was appointed Chief of Training (Army).
Other individuals include Maj Gen JH Abdussalam from Headquarters 6 Division, who was appointed Chief of Special Services and Programs, and Maj Gen OS Abai, who was transferred from the Department of Army Training to the Department of Army Transformation and Innovation. Maj Gen EI Okoro was appointed Military Secretary (Army) after being transferred from the Department of Army Logistics to the Department of Military Secretary.
“The following senior officers have been appointed as General Officers Commanding (GOCs): Maj Gen OT Olatoye from the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, who is the GOC 82 Division/Commander JTF OPUK, and Maj Gen EF Oyinlola from the Department of Military Secretary, who is the GOC 3 Division/Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH).”
The current redeployment has reaffirmed in substance the acting appointments of Maj Gen IA Ajose as GOC 8 Division/Commander Sector 2 JTF North West Operation FANSAN YANMA and Maj Gen AGL Haruna as GOC 7 Division/Commander Sector 1 JTF North East Operation HADIN KAI.
Additional senior officers were redeployed, including Maj Gen GO Adeshina from Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals, who was appointed Director General of the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Center, and Maj Gen GM Mutkut, who was posted as Force Commander from the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Center to Headquarters Multi-National Joint Task Force Njamena. Maj Gen MC Kangye, the Director of Media Operations, was also transferred from Headquarters of the Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery to Defence Headquarters.
The following senior officers have been appointed as Corps Commanders: Maj Gen OC Ajunwa from the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Center, who was appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Armour Corps; Maj Gen HT Wesley from the Department of Special Services and Programs, who was appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps; and Maj Gen TT Number from the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Center, who was appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Engineers. Additionally, Maj Gen NC Ugbo from the Department of Civil Military Affairs was appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Signals, Maj Gen ZL Abubakar from the Department of Army Transformation and Innovation was appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery, and Maj Gen AP Oguntola from the Nigerian Army College of Education Science and Technology was appointed Corps Commander of the Nigerian Army Education Corps.
Maj Gen JO Sokoya, who was appointed Commandant of the Nigerian Army Training Center, Maj Gen UM Alkali, who was appointed Commandant of the Army War College in Nigeria, and Maj Gen FS Etim, who was transferred from the Department of Army Transformation and Innovation to the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, were among the other senior officers who were impacted by the redeployment. Maj Gen AB Mohammed has been named commander of Depot Nigerian Army after being redeployed from the Department of Army Operations.
“Other recently appointed senior officers include Brig. Gen. AM Umar, who was redeployed from Army War College Nigeria to Warrant Officers Academy and appointed Commandant, Maj. Gen. IE Ekpenyong, who is now Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering, and Maj. Gen. AO Adegbite, who is now Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport.”
According to the statement, COAS has instructed all recently appointed senior officers to bring fresh energy, commitment, and dedication to their work, especially as they continue to fight terrorism, insurgency, and other threats to national security. They have also been charged with making sure that the welfare of troops is given top priority as they take on their new roles.
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