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, marking a major step in the expansion of the Army’s operational structure to tackle evolving security challenges across the country.
The appointments follow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for the establishment of four additional Army divisions aimed at strengthening command and control, expanding operational presence and improving the military’s response to security threats nationwide.
According to a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the newly created formations will commence operations upon attaining Initial Operational Capability (IOC), while efforts continue toward achieving Full Operational Capability (FOC) to ensure seamless force projection and operational continuity.
As part of the restructuring, the Nigerian Army has reviewed its divisional areas of responsibility. Under the new arrangement, 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 Makurdi will oversee Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States, while 6 Division Port Harcourt will cover Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States. 7 Division Maiduguri will retain responsibility for Borno and Yobe States, while 8 Division Sokoto will continue operations in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States.
Similarly, the newly established 9 Division Ilorin will be responsible for Kwara and Niger States, while 10 Division Jalingo will oversee the border areas of Taraba and Adamawa States. 81 Division Lagos will continue to cover Lagos and Ogun States, while 82 Division Enugu will remain responsible for Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States. The 83 Division Benin City, expected to become operational later this year, will oversee Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States.
To lead the new formations, the COAS approved the appointment of several senior officers. Major General Yakubu Yahaya was deployed to Headquarters 9 Division, Ilorin, as General Officer Commanding and Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD. Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife was posted to Headquarters 10 Division, Jalingo, as GOC, while Major General Moses Gara was appointed GOC 5 Division Makurdi and Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE.
Also appointed was Major General Auwalu Mahmuda, who takes over as General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Ibadan.
The Army also activated three new brigades to strengthen the expanded force structure. Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi was appointed Commander of 11 Brigade, Gboko; Brigadier General A.M. Haruna was named Commander of 29 Brigade, Kainji; while Brigadier General R.M. Aminu assumed command of 10 Brigade, Lafia.
Lieutenant General Shaibu congratulated the newly appointed commanders and urged them to provide visionary leadership, sustain operational momentum and uphold professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support and strategic investment in expanding the Nigerian Army’s operational capabilities, describing the establishment of the additional divisions as a historic milestone in the transformation of the Service.
The Army Chief said the expanded force structure would enhance command and control, improve operational coordination, strengthen border security, facilitate rapid troop deployment and reinforce joint operations with other security agencies, ultimately contributing to lasting peace and security across Nigeria.
