COAS Shaibu reassigns Generals in major Army shake-up

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the redeployment and appointment of several senior officers to key strategic roles, aimed at strengthening the Nigerian Army’s command structure and improving operational efficiency.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Army spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Apollonian Anele, the newly assigned positions cover major command, staff, and instructional roles across various units, formations, and training institutions within the Nigerian Army.

Among the senior officers affected are Major General Bamidele Alabi, who has been appointed Chief of Policy and Plans (Army) at the Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans; Major General Jamal Abdulsalam, who moves to the Defence Headquarters Department of Operations as Chief of Defence Operations; and Major General Peter Mala, redeployed from the Office of the National Security Adviser to take command of the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) in the Nigerian Army.

Major General Samson Jiya has been moved from the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC) to the Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Accounts and Budget as Chief of Defence Accounts and Budget.

Other appointments include Major General Mayirenso Saraso, now Chief of Operations (Army) at the Army Headquarters Department of Operations; Major General Isa Abdullahi, who becomes Chief of Administration (Army); and Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi, who assumes the role of Chief of Civil-Military Affairs.

Major General Abubakar Haruna was posted to the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC), Kontagora, as Commander, while Major General Philip Ilodibia now serves at the Defence Space Administration as Chief of Defence Space Administration.

Major General Godwin Mutkut moves from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), N’Djamena, to the Infantry Corps Centre as Corps Commander Infantry, while Major General Umar Abubakar takes charge as Commander of the Nigerian Army Armour Corps.

Major General John Adeyemo has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery as Corps Commander Artillery, and Major General Mohammed Abdullahi now heads the Nigerian Army Signals as Corps Commander Signals.

In addition, Major General Taofik Sidick has been appointed Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army), Major General Abdullahi Ibrahim takes over as Corps Commander Ordnance, Major General Adeyinka Adereti becomes Corps Commander Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and Major General Nansak Shagaya now serves as Corps Commander Supply and Transport. Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed has been named Acting Corps Commander Education.

Other key postings include Major General Oluyemi Olatoye, who becomes Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna; Major General Emmanuel Mustapha, who moves to the Nigerian Army Signal School as Commandant; Major General Adamu Hassan, who takes over as Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Artillery; and Brigadier General John Bulus, who now leads the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Accounts as Commandant.

The new field commanders include Major General Saidu Audu, appointed Force Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), N’Djamena; Major General Warrah Idris, who now commands the Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA; and Major General Oluremi Fadairo, who assumes duty as General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Enugu, and Commander of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA.

Major General Olatokumbo Bello has been appointed Director of Defence Media Operations at Defence Headquarters, while Brigadier General Samaila Uba becomes Director of Defence Information.

The COAS urged the new appointees to apply their operational experience, administrative skills, and strategic foresight in building a disciplined, combat-ready, and professional Army capable of tackling contemporary and emerging security challenges.

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He further charged them to maintain the current operational momentum, strengthen interagency collaboration, and uphold the Army’s core values of loyalty, integrity, selfless service, and excellence.

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