COAS reshuffles senior Army positions, appoints officers to strategic commands
Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has approved the posting and appointment of senior officers to key command, staff, and instructional positions across formations, units, and training institutions of the Nigerian Army.
The redeployment was announced on Thursday, by Appolonia Anele, acting director, Army Public Relations, reflecting Shaibu’s commitment to reposition the service for greater operational effectiveness amid Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Among the newly appointed senior officers, Bamidele Alabi has been redeployed to the Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans as Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), while Jamal Abdulsalam, who previously served as Chief of Special Services and Programmes, will now serve at the Defence Headquarters Department of Operations as Chief of Defence Operations.
Similarly, Peter Mala moves from the Office of the National Security Adviser to take over as Commander, Training and Doctrine Command, Nigerian Army (TRADOC), and Samson Jiya transitions from the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC) to the Defence Headquarters as Chief of Defence Accounts and Budget.
In further postings, Mayirenso Saraso leaves the NAHFC to become Chief of Operations (Army) at the Army Headquarters Department of Operations, while Isa Abdullahi moves from the Defence Headquarters to the Army Headquarters Department of Administration as Chief of Administration (Army).
Musa Etsu-Ndagi has been appointed Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (Army), after moving from the Army Headquarters Department of Training, and Abubakar Haruna takes command of the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC) in Kontagora.
Philip Ilodibia also assumes a new role as Chief of Defence Space Administration, moving from the Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans.
Other significant appointments include Godwin Mutkut, who moves from the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), N’Djamena, to assume command as Corps Commander Infantry, and Umar Abubakar, who departs the Ministry of Defence to head the Nigerian Army Armour Corps as Commander.
John Adeyemo, formerly Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Artillery (NASA), now becomes Corps Commander Artillery, while Mohammed Abdullahi, formerly of the Nigerian Army Cyberwarfare Command, assumes duty as Corps Commander Signals.
In the logistics and technical branches, Taofik Sidick has been posted to the Nigerian Army Finance Corps as Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army); Abdullahi Ibrahim becomes Corps Commander Ordnance at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps; Adeyinka Adereti moves to lead the Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers; and Nansak Shagaya takes charge as Corps Commander, Supply and Transport.
Additionally, Yusha’u Ahmed has been appointed Acting Corps Commander Education.
The COAS also approved new appointments in training institutions as Oluyemi Olatoye moves from Headquarters 82 Division and Joint Task Force South East (Operation UDO KA) to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, as Commandant.
Emmanuel Mustapha from the Defence Space Administration becomes Commandant, Nigerian Army Signal School, while Adamu Hassan moves from the Nigerian Defence Section in Riyadh to head the Nigerian Army School of Artillery.
John Bulus will now serve as Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Finance and Accounts, after leaving the Headquarters Nigerian Army Finance Corps.
On the operational front, several senior officers have been appointed as field commanders as Saidu Audu moves from the Army Headquarters Department of Training to the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in N’Djamena as Force Commander.
Warrah Idris from the Defence Headquarters will now command the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, while Oluremi Fadairo assumes command of the 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, and the Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA.
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At the Defence Headquarters, Olatokumbo Bello becomes the new Director, Defence Media Operations, while Samaila Uba, formerly of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, assumes duty as Director, Defence Information.
In his directive to the newly appointed officers, Shaibu charged them to demonstrate exceptional leadership, professionalism, and dedication in their new roles.
He urged them to leverage their vast operational and administrative experience to advance the Nigerian Army’s vision of becoming a highly disciplined, professional, and combat-ready force capable of confronting contemporary and emerging security challenges.
The Army Chief further encouraged the officers to maintain the current operational momentum, deepen inter-agency cooperation, and uphold the Nigerian Army’s core values of loyalty, selfless service, integrity, and excellence.
The postings and appointments take immediate effect.
