Nigerian Army Reshuffles Senior Officers, Names New Commander For Operation Hadin Kai

The Nigerian Army has approved a major redeployment of senior officers to key command, operational and staff positions as part of efforts to strengthen operational effectiveness and respond to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

The exercise, approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, places priority on critical operational theatres and strategic appointments, with the Army saying it is aimed at ensuring that experienced officers are deployed to positions where they can deliver decisive operational results.

A major change sees Major General IA Ajose move from the Army Headquarters Department of Army Operations to the Theatre Command, Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, as the new Theatre Commander.

He replaces Major General AE Abubakar, who has been redeployed from Operation Hadin Kai to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre as Dean, Faculty of Operational Research.

Other senior appointments include Major General RT Utsaha, who moves from the Army Headquarters Department of Army Standards and Evaluation to the Defence Headquarters Garrison as Commander.

Major General AM Umar has also been redeployed from the Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs to the Army War College Nigeria as Commandant, while Major General UM Alkali moves from the college to the Department of Civil-Military Affairs.

At the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation, Major General GS Muhammed moves from the Office of the National Security Adviser to become Director-General, while Major General JE Osifo moves from NAFIC to the Military Pension Board as Chairman.

Major General IE Ekpenyong has been redeployed to the Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Logistics as Director, Engineering Services.

At the brigade and divisional levels, Brigadier General MS Adamu moves from the Nigerian Army Women Command to take charge as Commander of the newly established 8 Brigade, while Brigadier General MS Sule moves from Special Task Force Operation Enduring Peace to become Commander, 27 Task Force Brigade.

Brigadier General I Sule has been redeployed from the Directorate of Recruitment Management to become Commander, 6 Division Garrison, while Brigadier General E Azenda moves from the Land Forces Simulation Centre to become Commander, 2 Division Garrison.

In a corresponding move, Brigadier General AS Bugaje moves from 2 Division Garrison to the Land Forces Simulation Centre as Director, Administration.

The Army said the reshuffle also includes Brigadier General AA Bello, who moves from 6 Division Garrison/Sector 3, Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, to the Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Operations.

The COAS charged the newly appointed commanders and senior officers to justify the confidence placed in them through exemplary leadership, operational innovation and professionalism.

He also tasked them with maintaining an unwavering commitment to the Army’s constitutional mandate of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while supporting civil authorities in maintaining peace and security.

The Army said the leadership changes were part of its broader effort to maintain a dynamic force-employment framework, improve joint and inter-agency coordination and enhance its capacity to respond decisively to emerging security threats.