Who-is-who as New COAS Restructures Army Command in First Major Assignment

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the redeployment and appointment of senior officers to key command, staff, and instructional positions across formations and training institutions nationwide.

He said this, is to reinvigorate leadership and reposition the Nigerian Army for greater operational effectiveness.

The major shake-up, announced in a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, marks one of the most comprehensive reassignments since Shaibu assumed office as the 25th Chief of Army Staff. It is aimed at strengthening command structures, improving inter-agency synergy, and sustaining the momentum in the fight against insecurity across the country.

According to the new postings, Major General Bamidele Alabi has been appointed Chief of Policy and Plans (Army) at the Army Headquarters, while Major General Jamal Abdulsalam moves to the Defence Headquarters as Chief of Defence Operations. Similarly, Major General Peter Mala was redeployed from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Minna, as Commander.

In the financial and administrative arms of the Army, Major General Samson Jiya now heads the Department of Defence Accounts and Budget as Chief, while Major General Mayirenso Saraso becomes Chief of Operations (Army) at Army Headquarters. Other notable appointments include Major General Isa Abdullahi as Chief of Administration (Army) and Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi as Chief of Civil-Military Affairs.

Further strengthening the Army’s operational bases, Major General Godwin Mutkut was named Corps Commander, Infantry, while Major General Umar Abubakar assumes command of the Armour Corps. Likewise, Major General John Adeyemo now leads the Artillery Corps, and Major General Mohammed Abdullahi was appointed Corps Commander, Signals.

At the instructional level, Major General Oluyemi Olatoye takes over as Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, while Major General Emmanuel Mustapha assumes command of the Nigerian Army Signal School. Major General Adamu Hassan becomes Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Artillery, and Brigadier General John Bulus takes charge of the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Accounts.

Other field command appointments include Major General Saidu Audu, now Force Commander, Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), N’Djamena; Major General Warrah Idris, Commander, Joint Task Force North-West Operation FANSAN YAMMA; and Major General Oluremi Fadairo, General Officer Commanding 82 Division/Commander Joint Task Force South-East Operation UDO KA.

The Army statement also confirmed the appointment of Major General Olatokunbo Bello as Director, Defence Media Operations, while Brigadier General Samaila Uba was redeployed to Defence Headquarters as Director, Defence Information.

Lieutenant General Shaibu, in his charge to the newly appointed officers, urged them to bring their wealth of experience, administrative competence, and strategic foresight to bear in driving a disciplined, combat-ready Army capable of confronting emerging security challenges decisively.

He emphasized the need to sustain operational momentum, deepen inter-agency collaboration, and remain unwavering in upholding the Army’s core values of loyalty, integrity, selfless service, and excellence.

“The Nigerian Army is at a critical phase in its mission to safeguard the nation’s peace and unity. This shake-up is designed to strengthen our chain of command, inject fresh leadership energy, and optimize our response to the dynamic security environment,” the COAS said.

The postings take immediate effect.

(PRNigeria)