Maj.-Gen. Saidu Tanko Audu has formally assumed office as the new Force Commander of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) at the headquarters in N’Djamena, Chad.
According to the MNJTF’s Chief Military Public Information Officer, Lt.-Col. Iweha Ikedichi, Audu replaces Maj.-Gen. Godwin Michael Mutkut, who has been posted to the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps as Corps Commander.
In his inaugural address, Audu expressed gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, for entrusting him with the responsibility. He praised his predecessor’s leadership and pledged to strengthen existing gains, enhance synergy across MNJTF components, and deepen collaboration with communities and security partners to secure lasting peace in the Lake Chad region.
Audu was previously posted from the Army Department of Training following a recent reshuffle by Army Headquarters, which followed the appointment of new service chiefs.
In his farewell remarks, the outgoing commander, Mutkut, thanked the Lake Chad Basin Commission, African Union Mission Support Team, European Union, and other technical partners for their continued support. He attributed the MNJTF’s successes to teamwork and professionalism and urged personnel to extend the same cooperation to his successor.
The handover ceremony featured the signing and exchange of official documents, the symbolic transfer of the command flag, and a group photograph.
The change of command comes amid a broad reorganisation within the Nigerian Army. Following his recent decoration by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, COAS Lt.-Gen. Shaibu approved major postings involving 67 senior officers across command, training, and staff positions. Among those redeployed are Maj.-Gen. Bamidele Alabi as Chief of Policy and Plans, Maj.-Gen. Jamal Abdulsalam as Chief of Defence Operations, and Maj.-Gen. Peter Mala as Commander, Training and Doctrine Command. Maj.-Gen. Samson Jiya was also moved to the Defence Headquarters as Chief of Defence Accounts and Budget.
Leave a comment