ARMY REASSIGNS SENIOR GENERALS, APPOINTS NEW COMMANDER FOR OPERATION HADIN KAI

The Nigerian Army has carried out a major reshuffle of its senior leadership, redeploying several generals and brigadier generals to strategic command, operational and administrative positions across the service. The changes were approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, as part of efforts to strengthen operational effectiveness and align the Army's leadership structure with Nigeria's evolving security challenges.

A key appointment in the reshuffle is that of Major General IA Ajose, who has moved from the Army Headquarters Department of Army Operations to become the Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI. He replaces Major General AE Abubakar, who has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre as Dean of the Faculty of Operational Research.

Other senior officers affected include Major General AM Alechenu, who has also moved to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, while Major General RT Utsaha takes over as Commander of Defence Headquarters Garrison. Major General AM Umar has been appointed Commandant of the Army War College Nigeria, with Major General UM Alkali moving to the Department of Civil-Military Affairs. Major General GS Muhammed is also moving from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation as Director General.

At the brigadier-general level, Brigadier General AA Bello has been transferred to the Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Operations, while Brigadier General MS Adamu takes command of the newly established 8 Brigade. Brigadier General MS Sule has been posted to 27 Task Force Brigade, while Brigadier General I Sule assumes command of 6 Division Garrison. Other officers have also been assigned to various formations, including the 2 Division Garrison and Land Forces Simulation Centre.

The Chief of Army Staff charged the newly appointed commanders and senior officers to justify the confidence placed in them through exemplary leadership, innovation, professionalism and commitment to duty. He reminded them of the Army's constitutional responsibility to defend Nigeria's sovereignty, protect its territorial integrity and support civil authorities in maintaining peace and security. The Army said the reshuffle is intended to create a more dynamic force-employment structure, improve joint and inter-agency coordination and strengthen its response to emerging security threats across the country.