The Nigerian Army carried out a sweeping reshuffle of its senior officers on Saturday, June 28, 2026, covering operational commands, training institutions, and principal staff appointments at Army Headquarters and across all major formations.

The changes were announced in a statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, and were approved by Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu.

Among the most significant operational changes, Major General EI Okoro was appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE, replacing Major General EE Emeka.

Meanwhile, Major General WM Dangana became GOC 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, replacing Major General EF Oyinlola.

Other command-level changes include Major General JR Lar as Commander of Army Headquarters Garrison, Brigadier General IB Buhari as Commander of Headquarters 63 Brigade, and Brigadier General K Rabiu as Commander of Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.

Space Command Appointment Signals New Direction

The most forward-looking appointment in the reshuffle was Major General SA Emmanuel as Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command — a unit that reflects the Army’s growing investment in technology-driven warfare and emerging security domains.

The statement described the appointment as reinforcing “the Army’s growing focus on emerging domains of warfare and technology-driven security operations.”

In military education and institutional development, Major General KE Chigbu was named Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College, while Major General SD Makolo became Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armour School. Brigadier General U Ahmad was appointed Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army in Zaria.

Other appointments include Major General O Adegbe as Director of Intelligence and Security at Defence Headquarters, Brigadier General OM Oyekola as Acting Military Secretary (Army), Major General SO Adejimi as Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, and Major General FS Etim as Chief of Training at TRADOC.

The COAS charged all newly appointed officers to demonstrate exemplary leadership.

“The Nigerian Army remains resolute in its transformation drive and commitment to building a highly professional, combat-ready and people-oriented force capable of effectively addressing contemporary and future security challenges,” the statement read.

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