Army Reshuffles Top Brass, Appoints General Ajose to Lead Boko Haram Fight as Osifo Heads Military Pensions Board

In a major tactical real-estate move aimed at revitalizing counter-insurgency campaigns and administrative efficiency, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has approved a sweeping redeployment of senior military officers across critical operational theatres and headquarters directorates.

The high-level reshuffle was confirmed in an official communication issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele. According to the military authorities, the exercise was structured to strengthen command cohesion, align leadership capabilities with the evolving security dynamics of the country, and inject fresh operational energy into active combat corridors.

Under the new deployment roster, Major General Ibikunle Ajose—who previously served at Army Headquarters within the Department of Army Operations—has been appointed as the Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation Hadin Kai. Ajose takes over the steering wheel of the multi-agency campaign against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) remnants from Major General AE Abubakar, who has now been reassigned to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre as Dean of the Faculty of Operational Research.

In another major appointment affecting veteran welfare, Major General JE Osifo has been posted to head the Military Pensions Board as its Executive Chairman. Osifo, who previously managed the investment portfolios of the service as the Director-General of the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation, takes over the administration of pension funds, severance packages, and welfare claims for retired servicemen across the armed forces. The finance corporation vacancy has now been filled by Major General GS Muhammed, who was redeployed from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The restructuring also introduced notable adjustments across military training, civil engagements, and ground garrisons. Major General AM Umar assumes duties as Commandant of the Army War College Nigeria, swapping seats with Major General UM Alkali, who moves to the Department of Civil-Military Affairs at Army Headquarters. Concurrently, Major General RT Utsaha transitions from Army Standards and Evaluation to take over as Commander of the Defence Headquarters Garrison, while Major General AM Alechenu moves to the Army Heritage and Future Centre.

At the brigade and tactical frontline level, the Army confirmed the operationalization of a brand-new combat formation, naming Brigadier General MS Adamu as Commander of the newly established 8 Brigade. Other key postings include Brigadier General MS Sule taking over command of 27 Task Force Brigade, Brigadier General I Sule stepping in as Commander of 6 Division Garrison, and Brigadier General E Azenda assuming command of 2 Division Garrison.

Charging the newly appointed generals and commanders, the Army Chief urged them to justify the military leadership’s confidence by displaying innovative tactical leadership, high professional ethics, and unwavering commitment to duty. He reiterated that the military remains steadfast in executing its constitutional mandate to defend the nation’s territorial integrity, dismantle armed syndicates, and protect citizens across all troubled regions.