Army Redeploys 27 Senior Officers in Major Command Reshuffle

The Nigerian Army has approved the redeployment of 27 senior officers, including 25 Major Generals and two Brigadier Generals, in what officials described as a strategic move to strengthen command efficiency and enhance operational performance.

The shake-up, approved by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, takes immediate effect. It affects key formations, training institutions, and field commands across the country.

According to a statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Appolonia Anele, the redeployment is part of ongoing efforts to reposition the service for greater effectiveness amid evolving security challenges.

Lt. Gen. Shaibu urged the newly posted officers to demonstrate leadership, professionalism, and commitment to duty, adding that the changes were designed to inject new energy into the Army’s command structure.

Under the new postings, Major General Bamidele Alabi moves to the Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans as Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), while Major General Jamal Abdulsalam heads to Defence Headquarters as Chief of Defence Operations.

Major General Peter Mala was redeployed from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) as Commander, while Major General Samson Jiya, formerly of the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, is now Chief of Defence Accounts and Budget at Defence Headquarters.

Others affected include Major General Mayirenso Saraso, now Chief of Operations (Army); Major General Isa Abdullahi, Chief of Administration (Army); and Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi, who takes charge of the Department of Civil-Military Affairs.

Major General Abubakar Haruna assumes command of the Nigerian Army Training Centre, Kontagora, while Major General Philip Ilodibia becomes Chief of Defence Space Administration.

Similarly, Major General Godwin Mutkut will now command the Infantry Corps Centre, Major General Umar Abubakar heads the Army Armour Corps, and Major General John Adeyemo becomes Corps Commander, Artillery.

Other key postings include Major General Mohammed Abdullahi (Signals), Major General Taofik Sidick (Accounts and Budget, Army), Major General Abdullahi Ibrahim (Ordnance), Major General Adeyinka Adereti (Electrical and Mechanical Engineers), and Major General Nansak Shagaya (Supply and Transport).

In the training institutions, Major General Oluyemi Olatoye, former Commander of 82 Division and Joint Task Force South East (Operation UDO KA), was appointed Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.

Major General Emmanuel Mustapha, Major General Adamu Hassan, and Brigadier General John Bulus were named Commandants of the Nigerian Army Signal School, Nigerian Army School of Artillery, and Nigerian Army School of Finance and Accounts, respectively.

At the field command level, Major General Saidu Audu takes over as Force Commander, Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), N’Djamena; Major General Warrah Idris now leads the Joint Task Force North West (Operation FANSAN YAMMA); while Major General Oluremi Fadairo becomes General Officer Commanding 82 Division and Commander of Operation UDO KA.

The COAS also approved the appointment of Major General Olatokumbo Bello as Director, Defence Media Operations at Defence Headquarters.

Among the Brigadier Generals affected, Yusha’u Ahmed was named Acting Corps Commander, Education, while Samaila Uba was redeployed from the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, to Defence Headquarters as Director, Defence Information.

Lt. Gen. Shaibu charged all affected officers to sustain the Army’s operational momentum, deepen interagency collaboration, and uphold the institution’s values of loyalty, integrity, and selfless service.