The Nigerian Army has launched another major realignment of its senior command structure. The new redeployment involves movement of generals across frontline operations, formations, training institutions and strategic departments.

Also, a new commander was appointed to lead the military’s campaign against insurgents in the North-East.

At the centre of the latest changes is Major General IA Ajose, who has been transferred from the Army Headquarters Department of Army Operations to take charge of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI.

The operation is one of the Army’s most critical operational theatres.

Ajose’s appointment places him at the head of the command responsible for military operations against Boko Haram and other terrorist groups operating in the North-East.

The redeployment was approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, as part of efforts to strengthen operational effectiveness and adjust its leadership structure to the country’s changing security environment, the army said.

The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said the latest exercise was designed to place the appropriate “leadership, experience and expertise” in critical operational and strategic positions.

Ajose replaces Major General AE Abubakar, who has been moved out of Operation HADIN KAI to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre.

There, he would serve as Dean of the Faculty of Operational Research.

The changes extend beyond the North-East, with the Army also moving senior officers between command, training, civil-military, logistics, financial and administrative establishments.

Major General AM Alechenu is moving from the Defence Headquarters Garrison to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, while Major General RT Utsaha leaves the Army Headquarters Department of Army Standards and Evaluation for the Defence Headquarters Garrison as Commander.

Major General AM Umar has been appointed Commandant of the Army War College Nigeria, replacing Major General UM Alkali, who is moving from the college to the Department of Civil-Military Affairs.

Major General GS Muhammed is also leaving the Office of the National Security Adviser for the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation as Director General.

His successor at the Military Pension Board will be Major General JE Osifo, who moves from the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation to become Chairman of the board.

The latest postings also affect the Army’s logistics structure, with Major General IE Ekpenyong moving to the Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Logistics as Director of Engineering Services.

At the brigadier general level, Brigadier General AA Bello is moving from 6 Division Garrison and Sector 3, Joint Task Force South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE, to the Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Operations.

Brigadier General MS Adamu has been appointed Commander of the newly established 8 Brigade after leaving the Nigerian Army Women Command, while Brigadier General MS Sule moves from Special Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE to command 27 Task Force Brigade.

Brigadier General I Sule is also leaving the Directorate of Recruitment Management for 6 Division Garrison as Commander.

The reshuffle further moves Brigadier General E Azenda from the Land Forces Simulation Centre to command 2 Division Garrison, with Brigadier General AS Bugaje taking over at the simulation centre as Director of Administration.

Shaibu charged the newly appointed commanders and senior officers to justify the confidence placed in them through “exemplary leadership, operational innovation, professionalism and unwavering commitment to duty.”

He also directed them to remain focused on the Army’s constitutional responsibilities of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while supporting civil authorities in maintaining peace and security.

The latest redeployment is coming less than a year after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered a sweeping change in the country’s military leadership, appointing Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff in October 2025.

Shaibu assumed office on November 5, 2025, as the 25th Chief of Army Staff, succeeding Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, who was elevated to Chief of Defence Staff.

The change at the top of the Army coincided with mounting pressure on the military to improve its response to multiple security threats.

The North-East remained the centre of the Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province insurgency, while banditry and kidnapping expanded across parts of the North-West and North-Central, including areas previously considered less exposed to sustained terrorist activity.

The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, has urged motorists to exercise patience and cooperate with traffic officials as two-week repair works on the Kara Bridge have triggered heavy gridlock on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, leaving motorists stranded for several hours.

In a statement , by its spokesperson, Babatunde Akinbiyi, the agency said it anticipated that there would be traffic, hence, the reason it issued a traffic advisory earlier.

“We can only appeal to motorists to bear with us for the time being because the repair works are necessary to ensure smooth movement and the safety of road users along the corridor.

“Anyone who does not have an important business along the axis should stay away, and those who cannot avoid using that route should cooperate with traffic officials.” the statement said.

The two-week rehabilitation, directed by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, involves replacing deteriorating expansion joints to improve road safety and the structural integrity of the bridge.

The project is expected to run until September 22, 2026.

The Federal Government began the replacement of damaged expansion joints on the bridge on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, after the project was earlier suspended to allow for traffic management planning.

The repairs have caused severe congestion along the corridor, with the gridlock stretching from the Kara Bridge in Ogun State to the 7Up Junction in Lagos State and beyond.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the traffic had extended beyond the Secretariat Bus Stop, while motorists coming from Ikeja and Agege and heading towards the Otedola underpass were also caught in the congestion stretching beyond Otunba Jobi Fele Way.

Many commuters also took to social media to share videos and images of the gridlock, saying they spent several hours travelling from their workplaces to their homes.

By Wednesday morning, motorists were seen using one-way traffic routes to get passengers to their destinations as the congestion persisted.

Traffic and security officials, including the police, military, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Federal Road Safety Corps and Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, were deployed to manage the situation.

The Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for re-election in the 2027 presidential election.

President-General of the conference, Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas, announced the endorsement on Wednesday while speaking at the organisation’s 2026 synod.

Kawas said the group’s decision was based on its assessment of Tinubu’s administration, arguing that the president had not shown nepotism in his appointments despite what he described as the Muslim-Muslim ticket under which he contested the 2023 election and is expected to seek re-election in 2027.

He said, “He did not only appoint at the national level; he also supported the emergence of Christian governors to be the majority in Nigeria. He has stood with Christanity alongside his wife.”

He also commended the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for appointing what he described as a born-again Christian and preacher of the gospel as its national leader.

“Also, for the first time, the ruling party appointed a born-again Christian and preacher of the gospel to be the national leader of the party.

Kawas said the bishops would continue to support Tinubu through prayers and advocacy for what he described as programmes aimed at the development of Nigeria.

He said, “We are here today to reassure him of our solid support; we are standing with him in prayers and advocacy for the good programmes he has brought forth for the liberation of Nigeria.

“We stand with the president today, and as long as he’s willing to be our president and even come in 2027, we will still be standing with him.

“On this, this house has endorsed him for the 2027 presidency.”

The CBCN president also said Tinubu had responded to the group’s call to engage United States President Donald Trump over insecurity in Nigeria.

Kawas further urged the Federal Government to include religious leaders, both Christians and Muslims, in political appointments, arguing that they should not be overlooked in the selection process.

Dignitaries at the event included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.