Army Chief Announces Strategic Appointments Of New GOCs, PSOs, And MNJTF Commander

In a bid to enhance operational effectiveness and administrative efficiency, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede, has announced the appointment of new General Officers Commanding (GOCs), Principal Staff Officers (PSOs), Corps Commanders, and a new Commander for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

The shake-up, announced on Saturday, is part of the Nigerian Army’s ongoing strategy to address security challenges across the nation and in the region.

Among the newly appointed GOCs is Major General OT Olatoye, who moves from the Nigerian Army School of Infantry to become the GOC of 82 Division/Joint Task Force (JTF) South East Operation Udoka (OPUK).

He will lead operations aimed at tackling security issues in the southeastern region.

Major General EF Oyinlola has been appointed as the GOC of 3 Division/Commander Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), moving from his previous position at the Department of Military Secretary.

In addition, the acting appointments of the following officers were confirmed:

Major General AGL Haruna as GOC 7 Division/Commander Sector 1 of JTF North East Operation Hadin Kai.

Major General IA Ajose as GOC 8 Division/Commander Sector 2 JTF North West Operation Fasan Yanma.

Major General GM Mutkut has been appointed as the Force Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), headquartered in N’Djamena, Chad.

He will transition from his role at the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre to oversee multinational efforts to combat cross-border terrorism and insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin.

Major General GO Adeshina has been redeployed from the Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, where he assumes the role of Director General.

Some of the senior officers appointed as PSOs at the Army Headquarters include Maj Gen LA Fejokwu, from National Defence College to Department of Army Administration and appointed Chief of Administration (Army), Maj Gen GU Chibuisi, from Nigerian Army Resource Centre to Department of Civil Military Affairs and appointed Chief of Civil Military Affairs and Maj Gen AS Ndalolo, also from the Nigerian Army Resource Centre to Department of Army Training and appointed Chief of Training (Army).

Others include Maj Gen OS Abai, from the Department of Army Training to the Department of Army Transformation and Innovation, appointed Chief of Transformation and Innovation and Maj Gen JH Abdussalam from Headquarters 6 Division to the Department of Special Services and Programmes and appointed Chief of Special Services and Programmes.

Maj Gen EI Okoro has been redeployed from the Department of Army Logistics to the Department of Military Secretary and appointed Military Secretary (Army).

Maj Gen MC Kangye was also redeployed from the Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery to Defence Headquarters as the Director of Media Operations.

Senior officers appointed as Corps Commanders include Maj Gen OC Ajunwa from Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre to Headquarters Nigerian Army Armour Corps and appointed Commander, Maj Gen HT Wesley from the Department of Special Services and Programmes to Headquarters Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, appointed Commander.

Maj Gen TT Numbere from Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre to Headquarters Nigerian Army Engineers and appointed Commander.

Maj Gen NC Ugbo moves from Department of Civil Military Affairs to Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals and appointed Commander, Maj Gen ZL Abubakar from Department of Army Transformation and Innovation to Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery and appointed Commander.

Maj Gen AP Oguntola from Nigerian Army College of Education Science and Technology to Headquarters Nigerian Army Education Corps and appointed Corps Commander.

Other senior officers also affected by the redeployment are Maj Gen JO Sokoya, appointed Commandant Nigerian Army Training Centre, Maj Gen UM Alkali appointed Commandant Army War College Nigeria, while Maj Gen FS Etim from the Department of Army Transformation and Innovation is redeployed to Nigerian Army School of Infantry, appointed Commandant.

Maj Gen AB Mohammed has been redeployed from the Department of Army Operations to Depot Nigerian Army and appointed commandant.

Other newly appointed senior officers are Maj Gen IE Ekpenyong now Commandant of Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering and Maj Gen AO Adegbite appointed Commandant of Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, while Brig Gen AM Umar is redeployed from Army War College Nigeria to Warrant Officers Academy and appointed Commandant, among others.

A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu said, “The Chief of Army Staff has directed all newly appointed senior officers to bring renewed vigour, dedication and commitment to their duties, particularly while ensuring the sustenance of the ongoing onslaught against terrorism, insurgency and other threats to national security.

“He equally charged them to ensure that the welfare of troops remained paramount as they assumed their new appointments.

“The reshuffling underscores Nigerian Army’s commitment to ensuring robust and dynamic leadership structure capable of addressing emerging security challenges.”