By Joy Odor, Abuja
In a bold move to inject fresh energy into military leadership and sharpen Nigeria’s combat readiness, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved a sweeping redeployment and appointment of senior officers across key commands, formations, and training institutions of the Nigerian Army.
The far-reaching shakeup, announced on Wednesday, signals what defence insiders describe as “a new phase of operational discipline, strategic realignment, and leadership renewal” within the Army’s command architecture.
Under the new postings, Major General Bamidele Alabi assumes office as Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), while Major General Jamal Abdulsalam moves to the Defence Headquarters as Chief of Defence Operations. Major General Peter Mala takes over as Commander, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), and Major General Samson Jiya becomes Chief of Defence Accounts and Budget.
In other key redeployments, Major General Mayirenso Saraso was appointed Chief of Operations (Army), Major General Isa Abdullahi becomes Chief of Administration (Army), and Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi assumes the role of Chief of Civil-Military Affairs.
Also, Major General Abubakar Haruna takes charge as Commander, Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC), Kontagora, while Major General Philip Ilodibia heads to the Defence Space Administration as Chief of Defence Space Administration.
Further consolidating the Army’s corps leadership, Major General Godwin Mutkut now commands the Infantry Corps; Major General Umar Abubakar leads the Armour Corps; Major General John Adeyemo assumes command of the Artillery Corps; and Major General Mohammed Abdullahi takes over as Corps Commander, Signals.
Equally significant are the appointments of Major General Taofik Sidick as Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army), Major General Abdullahi Ibrahim as Corps Commander, Ordnance, Major General Adeyinka Adereti as Corps Commander, Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and Major General Nansak Shagaya as Corps Commander, Supply and Transport. Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed was named Acting Corps Commander, Education.
In the training sector, Major General Oluyemi Olatoye becomes Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, while Major General Emmanuel Mustapha, Major General Adamu Hassan, and Brigadier General John Bulus assume command of the Signal School, School of Artillery, and School of Finance and Accounts respectively.
Field command also witnessed strategic changes: Major General Saidu Audu takes charge as Force Commander, Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), N’Djamena; Major General Warrah Idris becomes Commander, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA; and Major General Oluremi Fadairo assumes duty as General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division and Commander, Operation UDO KA in the South East.
At the Defence Headquarters, Major General Olatokumbo Bello was appointed Director, Defence Media Operations, while Brigadier General Samaila Uba becomes Director, Defence Information.
Charging the newly appointed officers, General Shaibu urged them to deploy their “experience, strategic insight, and leadership acumen” to sustain the Army’s momentum against insurgency, terrorism, and emerging threats.
“You are entrusted with the task of driving a disciplined, combat-ready Army that must decisively confront security challenges,” Shaibu said. “Uphold our core values of loyalty, integrity, and excellence while deepening collaboration with sister services and security agencies.”
The latest appointments, analysts say, underscore General Shaibu’s determination to reposition the Nigerian Army as an agile, intelligence-driven force capable of meeting 21st-century security demands head-on.
