RismadarVoice Reporters
September 10, 2026
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has approved the redeployment of several senior officers to key operational, command and staff positions across the Nigerian Army.
The Army said the exercise was designed to strengthen operational effectiveness and align its command structure with Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, disclosed the redeployments in a statement.
Under the new appointments, Maj. Gen. Ibikunle Ajose has been named Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, while Maj. Gen. JE Osifo becomes Chairman of the Military Pensions Board.
Maj. Gen. Ajose, who previously served at the Army Headquarters in the Department of Army Operations, takes over from Maj. Gen. AE Abubakar.
Mr Abubakar has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre as Dean of the Faculty of Operational Research.
According to the statement, the latest postings were made to place officers with relevant leadership experience and professional expertise in strategic positions, particularly in critical operational theatres.
Maj. Gen. AM Alechenu has been transferred from the Defence Headquarters Garrison to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre.
Maj. Gen. RT Utsaha, formerly of the Army Headquarters Department of Army Standards and Evaluation, is now Commander of the Defence Headquarters Garrison.
Maj. Gen. AM Umar has moved from the Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs to become Commandant of the Army War College Nigeria.
His successor at the Department of Civil-Military Affairs is Maj. Gen. UM Alkali, who was previously at the Army War College Nigeria.
Maj. Gen. GS Muhammed, who served at the Office of the National Security Adviser, has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation as Director-General.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Osifo moves from the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation to head the Military Pensions Board.
Maj. Gen. IE Ekpenyong has also been posted to the Department of Defence Logistics at Defence Headquarters as Director of Engineering Services.
At the operational level, Brig. Gen. AA Bello has moved from the 6 Division Garrison/Sector 3, Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, to the Department of Defence Operations at Defence Headquarters.
Brig. Gen. MS Adamu has been redeployed from the Nigerian Army Women Command to take charge of the newly established 8 Brigade.
Brig. Gen. MS Sule has moved from Operation Enduring Peace to become Commander of the 27 Task Force Brigade.
Brig. Gen. I Sule has also been redeployed from the Directorate of Recruitment Management to command the 6 Division Garrison.
Similarly, Brig. Gen. E Azenda has moved from the Land Forces Simulation Centre to become Commander of the 2 Division Garrison.
Brig. Gen. AS Bugaje, who previously served at the 2 Division Garrison, has been posted to the Land Forces Simulation Centre as Director of Administration.
Lt. Gen. Shaibu charged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence placed in them through professional conduct, exemplary leadership, operational innovation and commitment to duty.
He urged them to remain focused on the Nigerian Army’s constitutional responsibilities, including defending the country’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authorities in maintaining peace and security.
The Army said it would continue to strengthen its leadership and force-employment framework to improve operational effectiveness, joint and inter-agency coordination, and its ability to respond to emerging and contemporary security threats.
