By Nkechi Eze
In a decisive move aimed at enhancing operational effectiveness and consolidating ongoing military operations across the country, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has approved the redeployment and appointment of senior officers to critical command, instructional and staff positions in the Nigerian Army.
The large-scale posting, which affects key formations and units, includes the reassignment of some Principal Staff Officers at the Army Headquarters, General Officers Commanding (GOCs), Corps Commanders, Commandants of training institutions, and Brigade Commanders.
Acting Director Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, who announced the development in an official statement, said the reshuffle underscores the COAS’ commitment to reposition the Army for optimum performance.
Among those appointed as Principal Staff Officers at the Army Headquarters are Maj Gen AA Adeyinka, who moved from the Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport to become the Chief of Logistics (Army); Maj Gen AA Adekeye, redeployed from the Department of Standard and Evaluation to the Department of Personnel Management as Chief of Personnel Management (Army); and Maj Gen TB Ugiagbe, who was posted from the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps to the Department of Standard and Evaluation and appointed Chief of Standard and Evaluation.
Also affected is Maj Gen AA Idris, moved from Defence Headquarters to the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps and appointed Chief of Military Intelligence, while Maj Gen MO Erebulu was redeployed from the Department of Special Services and Programmes to the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police where he assumes duty as Provost Marshal (Army).
In addition, Maj Gen EA Anaryu was appointed Corps Commander Supply and Transport, and Maj Gen SA Akesode was posted from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the African Union Verification Mission in Tigray Region, Ethiopia, where he will serve as Head of Mission. Maj Gen JE Osifo was redeployed from the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Accounts to the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation as Director General.
Equally, the new General Officers Commanding include Major General ASM Wase, who moves from the Department of Training to Headquarters 1 Division/Sector 1 Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA as GOC 1 Division/Commander Sector 1, and Major General CR Nnebeife, appointed General Officer Commanding 2 Division/Sector 3 Joint Task Force Operation FANSAN YAMMA.
Several senior officers have also been appointed Commandants of Nigerian Army training institutions. They include Maj Gen MO Ihanuwaze, now Commandant of the Nigerian Army Finance School and Administration; Maj Gen KO Osemwegie, appointed Commandant of the Army Signal School; Maj Gen AJ Aliyu, Commandant of the Nigerian Army Ordnance School; and Maj Gen AC Adetoba, who was posted from the Department of Transformation and Innovation to head the Nigerian Army College of Logistics and Management.
Other deployments include Brig Gen M Jimoh, who moves from Headquarters Operation FANSAN YAMMA to Headquarters 1 Brigade as Commander; Brig Gen NE Okoloagu, redeployed from the Army War College Nigeria to 2 Brigade as Commander; and Brig Gen AA Bello, who was posted from the Nigerian Army School of Infantry to 6 Division Garrison/Sector 3 Joint Task Force South South Operation DELTA SAFE as Commander.
While congratulating the senior officers on their appointments, the Chief of Army Staff charged them to redouble their efforts and demonstrate renewed commitment to the ongoing operations against terrorism, insurgency and other threats to national security. He reiterated that the welfare of troops remains paramount to sustaining operational successes across the country.
