The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) for the Nigerian Army’s newly established divisions following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for the creation of four additional divisions to strengthen the country’s security architecture.
The appointments are part of a major restructuring of the Nigerian Army aimed at expanding its operational footprint, improving command and control, and enhancing its capacity to tackle Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the newly created divisions will commence operations upon attaining their Initial Operational Capability (IOC), while efforts continue to achieve Full Operational Capability (FOC).
The Army explained that the phased activation would ensure seamless operationalisation, continuity of military operations and rapid deployment of troops across the country.
As part of the reorganisation, the Army also reviewed the operational responsibilities of its divisions.
Under the new structure, 1 Division Kaduna will oversee Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, while 2 Division Ibadan will cover Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states. 3 Division Jos will be responsible for Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states.
The newly established 5 Division, headquartered in Makurdi, will oversee Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states, while 6 Division Port Harcourt will retain responsibility for Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
7 Division Maiduguri will continue to oversee Borno and Yobe states, while 8 Division Sokoto will remain responsible for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
Similarly, the newly created 9 Division, with headquarters in Ilorin, will cover Kwara and Niger states, while 10 Division, headquartered in Jalingo, will oversee the border areas of Taraba and Adamawa states.
The Army also announced that 81 Division Lagos will continue to supervise Lagos and Ogun states, while 82 Division Enugu will retain responsibility for Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states.
The newly established 83 Division, headquartered in Benin City, will be responsible for Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states when it becomes operational later this year.
To lead the new formations, the COAS approved the deployment of senior officers to key command positions.
Major General Yakubu Yahaya was redeployed from the Headquarters of Joint Task Force (North Central), Operation SAVANNA SHIELD, to head 9 Division Ilorin as General Officer Commanding and Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD.
Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife was moved from Headquarters 2 Division/Sector 3, Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, to serve as General Officer Commanding of 10 Division Jalingo.
Similarly, Major General Moses Gara was redeployed from Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE to head 5 Division Makurdi, where he will also serve as Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE.
Major General Auwalu Mahmuda was posted from the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance to become the General Officer Commanding 2 Division Ibadan.
To reinforce the expanded force structure, the Army also activated three new brigades.
Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi was appointed Commander of the newly established 11 Brigade Gboko, Brigadier General A.M. Haruna was deployed to command 29 Brigade Kainji, while Brigadier General R.M. Aminu was appointed Commander of 10 Brigade Lafia.
Congratulating the newly appointed commanders, Lieutenant General Shaibu urged them to provide visionary leadership, sustain operational momentum and uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and mission effectiveness.
“The newly established divisions represent a historic milestone in the transformation of the Nigerian Army and will significantly enhance command and control, improve operational coordination, strengthen border security and facilitate faster deployment of troops and resources across the country,” the COAS said.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting lives and property, and supporting efforts to restore lasting peace and security nationwide.
The Army Chief also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for approving the expansion of the Army’s force structure, describing the creation of the new divisions as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s defence architecture.
According to him, the additional formations will boost joint and multi-agency operations, improve rapid response to emerging threats and strengthen the military’s capacity to confront terrorism, banditry and other security challenges across the country.
