By Jeremy Fregene
The Nigerian Army has moved to reinforce its counter-insurgency campaign in the North-East with a major change in the leadership of Operation HADIN KAI, as Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, approved a strategic redeployment of senior commanders across critical operational, command, and staff positions.
At the heart of the reshuffle is the appointment of Major General IA Ajose as the new Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI, placing fresh leadership at the helm of the military campaign against Boko Haram and other terrorist elements operating in the region.
Ajose moves from the Department of Army Operations at Army Headquarters to take charge of the crucial North-East theatre, while the outgoing Theatre Commander, Major General AE Abubakar, has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre as Dean, Faculty of Operational Research.
The change effectively brings an officer directly from the Army’s central operations establishment into command of HADIN KAI at a time when the military is seeking to consolidate gains, adapt its strategy to changing threats, and sustain pressure on terrorist groups across the North-East.
The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, who announced the postings on Wednesday, said the wider exercise was designed to enhance operational effectiveness, strengthen leadership, and align the Army’s command structure with Nigeria’s evolving security environment.
According to her, critical operational theatres and strategic appointments were deliberately prioritised to ensure that officers with the appropriate leadership experience and expertise were positioned where they could deliver decisive results.
The changes in Operation HADIN KAI are particularly significant because the North-East remains one of the Army’s most important operational theatres, requiring close coordination of combat operations, intelligence, logistics, and cooperation with other services and security agencies.
Beyond HADIN KAI, the reshuffle extends across Army Headquarters, Defence Headquarters, training institutions, and other operational formations.
Major General AM Alechenu moves from Defence Headquarters Garrison to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, while Major General RT Utsaha leaves the Army Headquarters Department of Army Standards and Evaluation to become Commander, Defence Headquarters Garrison.
Major General AM Umar has been moved from the Department of Civil-Military Affairs at Army Headquarters to the Army War College Nigeria as Commandant, while Major General UM Alkali moves in the opposite direction from the War College to the Department of Civil-Military Affairs.
Major General GS Muhammed moves from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation as Director-General, while Major General JE Osifo leaves the corporation to become Chairman of the Military Pension Board.
Major General IE Ekpenyong has also been redeployed to the Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Logistics as Director, Engineering Services.
The shake-up also reaches commanders closer to the operational frontlines. Brigadier General AA Bello moves from 6 Division Garrison/Sector 3 Joint Task Force South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE, to the Department of Defence Operations at Defence Headquarters.
In another significant posting, Brigadier General MS Adamu has been moved from the Nigerian Army Women Command to take command of the newly established 8 Brigade, underscoring the Army’s continuing adjustment of its force structure to contemporary security requirements.
Brigadier General MS Sule moves from the Special Task Force, Operation ENDURING PEACE, to 27 Brigade as Commander, while Brigadier General I Sule leaves the Directorate of Recruitment Management to command 6 Division Garrison.
Brigadier General E Azenda has been transferred from the Land Forces Simulation Centre to 2 Division Garrison as Commander, while Brigadier General AS Bugaje moves from 2 Division Garrison to the Land Forces Simulation Centre as Director of Administration.
Shaibu charged the newly appointed commanders to justify the confidence placed in them through exemplary leadership, operational innovation, and professionalism, while maintaining an unwavering commitment to the Army’s constitutional responsibilities.
He particularly demanded a relentless focus on defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity, and supporting civil authorities in maintaining peace and security.
The Army said the redeployments form part of its determination to maintain a dynamic leadership and force-employment structure capable of producing stronger operational outcomes, deepening joint and inter-agency cooperation, and responding decisively to both existing and emerging security threats.
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