Shake-Up in Nigerian Air Force: Senior Officers Redeployed

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced the redeployment of several senior officers. The changes, approved by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, were confirmed in a statement issued by NAF Deputy Spokesman, Group Captain Kabiru Ali.

Among those affected are key personnel at various command levels, including Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding (AOCs), and Directors. The reshuffle is part of efforts to optimize leadership and improve the NAF’s strategic effectiveness in addressing national security challenges.

Some of the notable redeployments include Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Olasunkanmi Abidoye, who moves from the Defence Headquarters to become the Chief of Standards and Evaluation at NAF Headquarters. AVM Adeniyi Amesinlola, previously the Commandant at the Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, has been appointed as the Chief of Transformation and Innovation, while AVM Abubakar Adamu takes up the role of Group Managing Director of the NAFIL Group.

Other high-ranking officers affected by the reshuffle include AVM Iboro Etukudo, now Chief of Policy and Plans, AVM Francis Edosa as Chief of Training and Operations, and AVM Dalhat Ladan, who assumes the position of Chief of Air Intelligence. AVM Suleiman Usman has been appointed Chief of Communication and Information Systems, while AVM Sayo Olatunde and AVM Lanre Oluwatoyin will serve as Chief of Defence Policy and Plans, and Chief of Defence Space Administration, respectively, at the Defence Headquarters.

Additional appointments include AVM Ibikunle Daramola, now Chief of Civil-Military Relations, AVM Abiola Amodu as Chief of Aircraft Engineering, and AVM Patrick Phillips as Chief of Logistics. AVM Elijah Ebiowe takes over as the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Tactical Air Command in Makurdi, while AVM Sunday Aneke assumes command of the Mobility Command in Yenagoa.

New appointments to AOC positions also include AVM Abubakar Abdullahi, now heading the Air Training Command in Kaduna, and AVM Adeniran Ademuwagun, who takes charge of the Logistics Command in Ikeja.

Air Marshal Abubakar congratulated the newly appointed officers, emphasizing the importance of the redeployment in achieving strategic flexibility and enhancing the operational readiness of the NAF. He urged the officers to employ critical thinking in addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.