The Nigerian Army has announced the immediate redeployment of 317 senior officers and the appointment of four new General Officers Commanding (GOCs) of the divisions and key administrative positions at its headquarters.
The new GOCs are Major General Ebiobowei Awala, GOC 3 Division Nigerian Army Jos; Major General Ahmed Jibrin, GOC 2 Division Nigerian Army Ibadan; Major General Ashimiyu Olaniyi, GOC 82 Division Nigerian Army Enugu; Major General Obi Umahi, GOC 81 Division Lagos; and Major General Obidah Ethan, Army Headquarter Garrison Commander Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the outgoing Director, Army Public Relations, Major General Mobolaji Koleosho, the deployments are as a result of recent promotions and retirements in the Nigerian Army.
“Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Onyemoabi Azubike Ihejirika has redeployed 317 senior officers to fill the vacuum and maintain effective command structure in Army units, formations and the Defence Headquarters,” a part of the statement read.
Other affected senior officers are former GOC 81 Division, Major General Kenneth T.J. Minimah who is now the Commander, Infantry Corps and Centre, Jaji; former Chief of Training and Operations, Nigerian Army Major General Lawrence Ngubane who is now the Chief of Training and Operations at the Defence Headquarters; former GOC 3 Division, Major General Jack Nwaogbo who is now the Chief of Training and Opeartions at Army Headquarters; former GOC 2 Division, Major General Mohammed Abubakar who is now the Chief of Army Administration at the Army Headquarters.
According to the new postings, Major General Paul Isang is the new Chief of Army Standard and Evaluation (CASE), succeeding Major General Shehu Abdul-Kadir who has been appointed the Force Commander of the African-led International Support Mission for Mali (AFISMA).
The new Commander for the Nigerian Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) is Major General Babagana Munguno; Major General Daniel Kitchener is now Chief of Logistics at the Army Headquarters; while Major General Emmanuel Bassey becomes the Chief of Policy and Plans popularly known as COPP.
Other new appointments include Major General Obinali Ariahu, now the Chief of Research and Development at the Defence Headquarters; Major General John Zaruwa, now the Coordinator, Peacekeeping Operations at the Ministry of Defence; Major General Salihu Uba, now now the Commandant, Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre; former Defence Adviser, UN Headquarters, New York, Major General Garba Audu, now now Chief of Logistics, Defence Headquarters.
The new Director General, Defence Industries Cororation [DICON] is Major General Ekwenugo Chioba while Major General Abubakar Gana is the new Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Logistics (NACOL). The former Commandant, Major General Adekunle Martins is now Commander, Nigerian Army Ordinance Corps; while the new Commander, Nigerian Army Signals [NAS] is Major General Abayomi Olnisakin.
The Commander, Nigerian Army Supply and Transport Corps is now Major General Emmanuel Nienge; while the Commander, Nigerian Army Armoured Corps [NAAC] is now Major General John Nwaoga.
Major General Bolaji Koleosho has been redeployed as the new Chief of Civil-Military Affairs from the Director, Army Public Relations; while Brigadier General Ibrahim Attahiru has succeeded him as the Army spokesman. Major General Bitrus Kwaji who left office for Koleosho is now the Group Managing Director, Nigerian Army Welfare Limited and Guarantee (NAWLG).
