JUST IN: Nigerian Army redeploys 18 generals in nationwide shake-up (Full list)

The Nigerian Army has announced a major redeployment of 18 senior generals to strategic operational, command, training and administrative positions as part of efforts to strengthen leadership, enhance operational effectiveness and improve the country’s response to evolving security threats.

The postings, approved by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, were disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele.

According to the Army, the redeployment affects General Officers Commanding (GOCs), commanders of operational formations, heads of military training institutions and principal staff officers at Army Headquarters, and is aimed at reinvigorating leadership across critical commands.

“The postings are part of the Nigerian Army’s deliberate efforts to strengthen command structures, enhance operational efficiency and reposition the service for greater effectiveness in addressing contemporary and emerging security challenges,” the statement said.

Among the key appointments, Major General WM Dangana was named General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, succeeding Major General EF Oyinlola.

Similarly, Major General EI Okoro was appointed General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE, taking over from Major General EE Emeka.

The Army also redeployed Major General JR Lar as Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola was appointed Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I Waziri retained his position as Chief of Staff to the Chief of Army Staff.

Other operational appointments include Brigadier General IB Buhari as Commander, Headquarters 63 Brigade, and Brigadier General K Rabiu as Commander, Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.

As part of efforts to strengthen emerging military capabilities, Major General SA Emmanuel was appointed Commander, Nigerian Army Space Command, while Major General O Adegbe was posted to Defence Headquarters as Director of Intelligence and Security.

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The redeployment also affected key military training institutions across the country.

Under the new postings, Major General KE Chigbu becomes Deputy Commandant, National Defence College, Major General SD Makolo takes over as Commandant, Nigerian Army Armour School, while Major General SO Adejimi was appointed Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport.

Also, Major General FS Etim will serve as Chief of Training at Headquarters, Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA), while Brigadier General U Ahmad assumes office as Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.

Beyond operational and training commands, the Army also made fresh appointments into strategic defence-related organisations.

Major General KO Ukandu was named Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited (PHDL), while Major General AI Allison was appointed Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.

Lieutenant General Shaibu charged the newly posted senior officers to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating exemplary leadership, professionalism, discipline, innovation and commitment in their new assignments.

He also urged them to sustain the momentum in ongoing military operations against terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other emerging security threats confronting the country.

The latest redeployment comes as the Nigerian Army intensifies operations across the North-East, North-West, North-Central and South-South theatres, where troops are engaged in counter-insurgency, anti-banditry, anti-kidnapping and anti-oil theft operations.

Military authorities said the periodic redeployment of senior officers is a routine exercise designed to inject fresh ideas into operational commands, strengthen leadership at all levels and improve coordination among formations and units in line with the Army’s transformation agenda.

Full list of major appointments

• Major General WM Dangana – GOC 3 Division Nigerian Army/Commander, Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE
• Major General EI Okoro – GOC 6 Division Nigerian Army/Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE
• Major General JR Lar – Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison
• Brigadier General OM Oyekola – Acting Military Secretary (Army)
• Brigadier General I Waziri – Chief of Staff to the Chief of Army Staff
• Brigadier General IB Buhari – Commander, Headquarters 63 Brigade
• Brigadier General K Rabiu – Commander, Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade
• Major General SA Emmanuel – Commander, Nigerian Army Space Command
• Major General O Adegbe – Director of Intelligence and Security, Defence Headquarters
• Major General KE Chigbu – Deputy Commandant, National Defence College
• Major General SD Makolo – Commandant, Nigerian Army Armour School
• Major General SO Adejimi – Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport
• Major General FS Etim – Chief of Training, Headquarters TRADOC NA
• Brigadier General U Ahmad – Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria
• Major General KO Ukandu – Managing Director/CEO, Post Housing Development Limited
• Major General AI Allison – Managing Director, Defence Properties Limited

JUST IN: Nigerian Army redeploys 18 generals in nationwide shake-up (Full list)

Gunmen Kill Miyetti Allah Chairman, Associate After Peace Talks in Otukpo

The Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Benue State, Ardo Risku Muhammad, has been killed alongside his associate, Yakubu Isah, in an attack by suspected gunmen in Otukpo Local Government Area, with the killings heightening tension in parts of Otukpo and neighbouring Ohinmini Local Government Area. It was learnt that Muhammad had earlier on Friday participated in a peace meeting involving Fulani leaders and members of the Ayunne community, convened by the Divisional Police Officer of Ohinmini Local Government Area as part of efforts to address security concerns following a recent crisis where several people were killed. The attack occurred at about 2:00 p.m. on Friday around the Okudu community in Otukpo LGA, with sources indicating that the MACBAN chairman and his companion were travelling home after the meeting when gunmen ambushed their vehicle and shot them dead.

Muhammad’s eldest son, Idris Muhammad, confirmed the incident during a telephone interview with journalists on Friday night, saying his father was ambushed and killed while returning from the peace meeting, and further disclosed that the family had recovered the bodies and taken them to Oyangede for burial. “They killed my father, the Ardo, and his associate, Yakubu Isah, after around 2pm while on their way from the peace meeting called by the DPO in Ohimini. We have recovered their bodies and took them to Oyangede for burial,” Idris said.

The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the incident, describing the security situation in the area as tense following the attack and stating, “It is true that the state chairman of MACBAN was killed within Otukpo LGA this afternoon. The killing has raised tension in the community and environs,” while appealing to residents to remain calm and assuring them that security agencies were on top of the situation. Providing further details, the Chairman of Ohinmini Local Government Area, Adole Gabriel, said the deceased had attended the peace meeting organised by the Divisional Police Officer before the attack occurred, explaining that there had been a crisis in Ayunne community where some people were killed some time ago, and the DPO of Ohinmini convened a peace meeting with the Fulani herders and the community. “I was told that the meeting was fruitful and, at the end of the meeting, the man (MACBAN chairman) left. Unfortunately, I learnt that some gunmen ambushed his vehicle at Okudu community in Otukpo LGA and killed him with one other person,” Gabriel said.

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The Benue State Police Command also acknowledged the incident, with its spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, confirming that police had received reports of the killings and that an investigation had commenced. Edet assured the public that the command would work to identify those responsible for the attack and bring them to justice, while urging residents to remain peaceful and cooperate with investigators.

The national leadership of MACBAN has condemned the killing, describing it as a “dastardly and deeply disturbing act,” with its National President, Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, stating in a statement issued on Friday that the circumstances surrounding Muhammad’s death raised serious concerns about possible premeditation. MACBAN said it was particularly troubling that a community leader who attended a meeting aimed at promoting peace could become a victim shortly afterwards, and also expressed concern over reports that one of the deceased’s children, a lawyer, was allegedly attacked in a village about a week earlier. “The killing of community leaders and peace advocates threatens efforts towards reconciliation, dialogue and peaceful coexistence among communities. Those who seek to destabilise society through violence must not be allowed to succeed,” the statement added. The association commiserated with the family of the deceased, the leadership and members of MACBAN in Benue State, and pledged its continued commitment to promoting peace and collaboration with security agencies to address security challenges across the country.

Communities in Otukpo and neighbouring Ohinmini have witnessed repeated attacks in recent times, with authorities frequently attributing many of the incidents to suspected armed herders.

Gunmen Kill Miyetti Allah Chairman, Associate After Peace Talks in Otukpo