By Precious Igbonwelundu
The Nigerian Army Tuesday redeployed with effect from April 1, 22 generals including the Theatre Commander, Operation LAFIYA DOLE Maj.-Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi to rekindle spirit of professionalism in the service.
The redeployment of Adeniyi as a Senior Research Fellow, Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) Abuja, has however been seen as a punishment from the army following a leaked viral video where the senior officer gave situation report after the March 22 Boko Haram ambush at Gorgi and Goniri in the northeast.
In the video, Gen. Adeniyi who was speaking to his superior and assuring the person that both officers and men were fully on ground; lamented that they lacked weapons to completely decimate the terrorists.
The about one minute and 26 seconds video which attracted wide criticism against the army and also confirmed speculation the terrorists had superior fighting equipment, did not go down well with the authorities.
Although army spokesman Col. Sagir Musa in his statement announcing the redeployment said it was routine administrative exercise aimed at reinvigorating the system for greater professional effectiveness and efficiency; most Nigerians who reacted to the news felt otherwise.
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Among early commenters were former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode who claimed Adeniy was relieved of his appointment on Monday.
He wrote: “Gen. Adeniyi, the gallant commander who led our troops in Operation Lafia Dole and who appeared in a video that went viral two days ago complaining about the conditions that his troops were facing on the war front with BH (Boko Haram) was relieved of his appointment yesterday. What a pity!”
According to Colonel Musa, those affected by the redeployment approved by the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai included Commander Special Taskforce (STF) Operation Safe Haven, Jos, Maj.-Gen. ACC Agundu who was also deployed as Senior Research Fellow NARC, Abuja.
“Maj.-Gen. HI Bature from Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Defence Liaison Office National Assembly Abuja to Army Headquarters Department of Civil Military Affairs and appointed Chief of Civil-Military Affairs; Maj.-Gen. UM Mohammed from Nigerian Army Property Limited (NAPL) to the Office of the Chief of Army Staff and appointed Special Adviser Nigerian Army University Biu/Deputy Chairman Board of Trustees NAPL.
“Erstwhile Special Adviser Nigerian Army University Biu Maj.-Gen. CC Okonkwo now redeployed to STF Operation SAFE HAVEN Jos and appointed Commander; Maj.-Gen. F Yahaya from Headquarters 1 Division Kaduna to Headquarters Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE (OPLD) Maiduguri and appointed Commander, while Maj Gen OG (Olusegun) Adeniyi is redeployed from Headquarters Theatre Command OPLD Maiduguri to NARC as Senior Research Fellow.
“Maj.-Gen. S Idris from Sector 2 OPLD Damaturu, Yobe State redeployed to DHQ Abuja and appointed Director Liaison.
“Others affected include Maj.-Gen. AA Adesope from Office of the Chief of Army Staff Directorate of Audit and Financial Management to NAPL and appointed Group Managing Director; Maj.-Gen. MG Ali from Headquarters Theatre Command OPLD Maiduguri to Headquarters 4 Special Forces Command Doma, Nasarawa State as Commander while the erstwhile Chief of Civil-Military Affairs AHQ Abuja Maj.-Gen. US Mohammed has been redeployed to 1 Division Kaduna and appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC).
“Similarly, Brig.-Gen HI Daniel from the defunct Army Special Forces Command Maiduguri to Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Minna and appointed Director Army Training Support; Brig.-Gen BE Onyeuko is to remain in DHQ Abuja as Acting Director Defence Media Operation; Brig.-Gen. NM Jega from TRADOC Minna to Infantry Corps Centre Jaji and appointed Chief of Staff; Brig.-Gen LA Araba from Nigerian Army Welfare Limited by Guaranty Abuja now redeployed to Sector 2 OPLD Damaturu, Yobe State as Ag Commander.
“Brig.-Gen VO Ita from DHQ, Abuja to Headquarters 402 Special Forces Brigade Azare and appointed Commander while Brig.-Gen JAL Jimoh from Sector 3 Artillery Brigade OPLD Monguno to Headquarters 31 Brigade Minna and appointed Commander and Brig.-Gen GTO Ajetunmobi has been redeployed from 31 Brigade Minna to Nigeria Army Welfare Limited by Guaranty, Abuja as Executive Director Operation.
“Others are Brig.-Gen LG Lepdung from Headquarters Infantry Corps Centre Jaji to DHQ Abuja and appointed Deputy Director Procurement (Logistics), Brig.-Gen MO Ihanuwaze to remain in Office of the Chief of Army Staff Directorate of Audit and Financial Management as Acting Director, Brig.-Gen EC Obi-Osang from the defunct Headquarters 707 Special Forces’ Brigade Makurdi to Headquarters 401 Special Forces’ Brigade Makurdi as Commander while Brig.-Gen GM Mutkut is redeployed from the defunct Nigerian Army Amphibious Command OPLD Baga to Headquarters 403 Amphibious Brigade Baga and appointed Commander and Brig.-Gen JR Lar from Nigerian Army School of Artillery Kachia to Sector 3 Artillery Brigade OPLD Monguno as Commander.
“Also, Colonel DJ Abdullahi from the defunct Headquarters Nigerian Army Special Forces’ Command Maiduguri to Headquarters 4 Special Forces’ Command Doma Nasarawa State and appointed Acting Chief of Staff; Colonel EC Emere from Nigerian Army Archives to Nigerian Military School Zaria as Deputy Commandant and Colonel MO Agi is to remain in Headquarters Nigerian Army Armour Corps Bauchi as Acting Chief of Staff among others.
“All the postings and appointments take effect from April 1, 2020. While wishing all the officers well in their respective appointments, the Chief of Army Staff enjoins them to take their new responsibilities/appointments seriously and discharge all duties professionally with utmost loyalty to the nation and the service,” he said.
