The changes were approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, and announced by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele. The Army said the redeployments are intended to improve operational effectiveness, strengthen national security and consolidate its ability to respond to emerging threats.
Among the most significant changes, Major General WM Dangana has been appointed General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace, replacing Major General EF Oyinlola. Major General EI Okoro will take over as General Officer Commanding 6 Division and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force South-South Operation Delta Safe, succeeding Major General EE Emeka.
Major General JR Lar has also been appointed Commander of Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola becomes Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I Waziri will remain as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff.
Other operational appointments include Brigadier General IB Buhari as Commander of Headquarters 63 Brigade and Brigadier General K Rabiu as Commander of Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade. Major General SA Emmanuel has been appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command, reflecting the military's increasing attention to technology and emerging domains of warfare.
The reshuffle extends beyond field formations. Major General O Adegbe has been appointed Director of Intelligence and Security at Defence Headquarters, while Major General KE Chigbu becomes Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College. Major General SD Makolo has been appointed Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armour School, with Major General SO Adejimi taking charge of the Army School of Supply and Transport.
Major General FS Etim has also been appointed Chief of Training at the Army's Training and Doctrine Command, while Brigadier General U Ahmad becomes Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria. Other senior officers have been assigned to leadership positions at Post Housing Development Limited and Defence Properties Limited.
The changes come as the Nigerian Army continues to confront terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats across different parts of the country. The service has increasingly emphasised the need for commanders who can operate effectively in complex environments involving conventional military operations, counter-terrorism, asymmetric warfare and joint operations with other security agencies.
That emphasis was also reflected in a recent Army doctrine and leadership seminar, where Shaibu said military doctrine must evolve with lessons from contemporary operations and emerging forms of warfare. The Army has identified areas including unmanned systems, cyber capabilities, information operations and other technologies as factors requiring adaptable military leadership.
The latest reshuffle therefore represents more than a routine movement of officers. It places new commanders in several formations directly involved in Nigeria's internal security operations while simultaneously strengthening appointments responsible for intelligence, training, professional military education and emerging military capabilities.
Shaibu charged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence placed in them through professionalism, innovation, exemplary leadership and commitment to the Army's constitutional responsibilities. The effectiveness of the changes, however, will ultimately be measured by whether the new command structure produces tangible improvements in operational coordination, troop readiness and the Army's ability to protect communities facing persistent security threats.
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