Army Chief reshuffles top command, makes major deployments
By John Okezie
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved a massive redeployment of senior officers across formations, units, and training institutions of the Nigerian Army, in what is seen as a strategic move to strengthen command structures and boost operational effectiveness.In a statement, Army spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, said the new postings are part of ongoing efforts to reposition the Nigerian Army for enhanced professionalism and greater responsiveness to the nation’s security needs.
Among those affected is Major General Bamidele Alabi who has been appointed Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), while Major General Jamal Abdulsalam moves to Defence Headquarters as Chief of Defence Operations. Major General Peter Mala will now serve as Commander, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), and Major General Samson Jiya takes over as Chief of Defence Accounts and Budget at the Defence Headquarters.
Major General Mayirenso Saraso becomes Chief of Operations (Army), while Major General Isa Abdullahi assumes the role of Chief of Administration (Army). Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi was also appointed Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, and Major General Abubakar Haruna now commands the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC), Kontagora.
In another major development, Major General Godwin Mutkut takes over as Corps Commander Infantry, while Major General Umar Abubakar has been appointed Commander, Nigerian Army Armour Corps. Major General John Adeyemo is now Corps Commander Artillery, and Major General Mohammed Abdullahi moves to Headquarters, Nigerian Army Signals as Corps Commander Signals.
Also redeployed are Major General Taofik Sidick, appointed Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army); Major General Abdullahi Ibrahim, Corps Commander Ordnance; Major General Adeyinka Adereti, Corps Commander Electrical and Mechanical Engineers; and Major General Nansak Shagaya, Corps Commander Supply and Transport. Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed was named Acting Corps Commander, Education.
Lieutenant General Shaibu also approved new postings for commandants of key military institutions. Major General Oluyemi Olatoye has been appointed Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, while Major General Emmanuel Mustapha will head the Nigerian Army Signal School.
In similar postings, Major General Adamu Hassan assumes command of the Nigerian Army School of Artillery, and Brigadier General John Bulus becomes Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Finance and Accounts.
For field commands, Major General Saidu Audu has been named Force Commander, Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), N’Djamena, Chad. 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, Enugu, and Commander, Operation UDO KA, in the South East.
At the Defence Headquarters, Major General Olatokumbo Bello was appointed Director of Defence Media Operations, while Brigadier General Samaila Uba assumes duty as Director of Defence Information.
While congratulating the newly appointed officers, the COAS charged them to demonstrate leadership, discipline, and professionalism in their new roles.
He urged them to sustain operational momentum, enhance inter-agency cooperation, and uphold the Army’s core values of loyalty, selfless service, integrity, and excellence.
“The Nigerian Army must remain resolute, professional, and combat-ready to address current and emerging security challenges across the country”, Lieutenant General Shaibu said.
The sweeping reshuffle marks one of the most extensive reorganizations under the current Army leadership, reflecting the COAS’s commitment to building a more agile, adaptive, and mission-focused force.
