The Nigerian Army has announced a major expansion of its operational structure with the establishment of four additional divisions and the appointment of new General Officers Commanding (GOCs), in a move aimed at strengthening command and control, improving force projection and tackling the country’s evolving security challenges.
The development follows the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and the subsequent approval of appointments by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Army described the expansion as a landmark step in the ongoing transformation of the Service and the enhancement of Nigeria’s defence architecture.
According to the statement, the newly created divisions will commence operations in their designated locations upon attaining Initial Operational Capability (IOC), while efforts continue towards achieving Full Operational Capability (FOC).
The Army said the phased activation is designed to ensure smooth operationalisation, maintain continuity in military operations and enable rapid deployment of troops across the country.
As part of the restructuring, the Army has also reorganised 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 be responsible for Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states. 3 Division Jos will cover Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states.
The newly established 5 Division, headquartered in Makurdi, will take charge of Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states, while 6 Division Port Harcourt will oversee Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
7 Division Maiduguri will continue operations in Borno and Yobe states, while 8 Division Sokoto retains responsibility for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
The newly created 9 Division, headquartered in Ilorin, will oversee Kwara and Niger states, while 10 Division, headquartered in Jalingo, will be responsible for border security operations in Taraba and Adamawa states.
Meanwhile, 81 Division Lagos will continue to cover Lagos and Ogun states, while 82 Division Enugu retains responsibility for Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states.
The Army also disclosed that the newly established 83 Division, with headquarters in Benin City, will oversee Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states upon its activation later this year.
To lead the new formations, the COAS approved the appointment of senior officers as General Officers Commanding.
Major General Yakubu Yahaya has been redeployed from the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North Central), Operation SAVANNA SHIELD, to head the newly established 9 Division Ilorin as General Officer Commanding and Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD.
Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife moves from Headquarters 2 Division/Sector 3 Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, to serve as General Officer Commanding of 10 Division Jalingo.
Major General Moses Gara has been redeployed from the Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE to command the newly established 5 Division Makurdi, where he will also serve as Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE.
Similarly, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda has been posted from the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance to assume duty as General Officer Commanding 2 Division Ibadan.
The Army also activated three new brigades to strengthen the newly established divisions.
Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi has been appointed Commander of 11 Brigade Gboko, Brigadier General A.M. Haruna will command 29 Brigade Kainji, while Brigadier General R.M. Aminu takes over as Commander of 10 Brigade Lafia.
Lieutenant General Shaibu congratulated the newly appointed commanders and urged them to provide visionary leadership while sustaining operational momentum and maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and mission effectiveness.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty, safeguarding the lives and property of citizens and supporting efforts to achieve lasting peace and security across the country.
The Army Chief also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his continued support and strategic investment in strengthening the Army’s operational capabilities.
He described the establishment of the additional divisions as a historic milestone that would significantly enhance command and control, improve operational coordination, strengthen border security, facilitate faster troop deployment and reinforce joint military operations in addressing emerging security threats nationwide.
