Maj. Gen. Wase Takes Over Command of 1 Division Nigerian Army in Kaduna

Major General Abubakar Wase has officially taken over as the 44th General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 1 Division of the Nigerian Army and also as the Commander of Sector 1, Joint Task Force Operation Fansan Yamma. His assumption of command marks a new leadership phase for the Division, which is headquartered in Kaduna.

The handover ceremony, held on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, was a vibrant and symbolic event that took place at the 1 Division Headquarters. The transition marks the end of Major General Mayirenso Saraso’s tenure and the beginning of Wase’s command, as directed by the recent shake-up in Army leadership.

According to a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Shuaib Umar, the change in leadership followed a series of new postings and redeployments authorized by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede. The statement emphasized that the restructuring aims to bolster operational efficiency and strengthen national security.

The ceremony featured several formalities including the signing of official handover documents, the presentation of 1 Division insignia to the new GOC, and a farewell address delivered by the outgoing commander. These traditions are symbolic of the continuity and discipline that define leadership transitions within the Nigerian Army.