COAS Approves Posting of Over 2,300 Nigerian Army Officers Across Formations
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has authorized the posting and redeployment of 2,313 officers across various formations and units of the Nigerian Army.
The directive, detailed in a restricted signal signed by the Military Secretary (Army), Major General E. I. Okoro, dated 31 December 2025, was exclusively obtained by the Nigerian Tribune in Abuja on Saturday.
The signal also included amendments or deletions affecting 98 officers of different ranks, bringing the total affected personnel to 2,215.
Among the redeployments, 37 Major Generals were reassigned, including changes at the level of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) in key divisions.
Major General Farouk Mijinyawa, formerly GOC of 81 Division, has been posted to Army Headquarters as Deputy Chief of Policy and Plans (COPP) in the Department of Army Policy and Plans (DAPP). Similarly, Major General Ibikunle Ajose, former GOC of 8 Division, Sokoto, has been moved to Army Headquarters to serve as Deputy Chief of Operations (Army).
New GOCs have also been appointed for affected divisions. Major General B. P. Koughna now commands 8 Division and serves as Commander, Sector 2, Joint Task Force (JTF), North-West. Major General A. A. Babalola has been redeployed from Defence Headquarters to take over as GOC, 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Lagos.
The posting also impacts 187 Brigadier Generals, 189 Colonels, 235 Lieutenant Colonels, 856 Majors, 384 Captains, 318 Lieutenants, and three Second Lieutenants.
The signal instructs all officers to report to their new assignments on the dates specified against their names, warning that failure to comply will attract disciplinary measures.
While the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, has yet to issue an official statement, a senior officer at Army Headquarters confirmed the development, describing it as a routine exercise intended to enhance operational efficiency across the Service.
