Army Shuffles Top Generals, Ajose Takes Over Northeast Command

The Nigerian Army has approved a major reshuffling of senior officers, with Major General I.A. Ajose appointed as the new Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), the military’s main counter-insurgency operation in the region.

Ajose is moving from the Army Headquarters Department of Army Operations to take charge of the North-East theatre, where troops are engaged in operations against Boko Haram, ISWAP and other security threats.

He replaces Major General A.E. Abubakar, who has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre as Dean of the Faculty of Operational Research.
The changes, approved by Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, affect several senior commanders and strategic appointments across the Army.

The service said the postings are intended to strengthen operational effectiveness and place officers with appropriate experience in key positions.

Among the other changes, Major General R.T. Utsaha becomes Commander of the Defence Headquarters Garrison, while Major General A.M. Umar has been appointed Commandant of the Army War College Nigeria.

Major General G.S. Muhammed will head the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation, while Major General J.E. Osifo becomes Chairman of the Military Pension Board.

At the brigade level, Brigadier General M.S. Adamu has been appointed Commander of the newly established 8 Brigade, while Brigadier General M.S. Sule will command the 27 Task Force Brigade.

The Army said the wider redeployments are part of efforts to strengthen leadership across critical formations and align its command structure with Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.