The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) for the newly established Nigerian Army divisions following President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the creation of four additional divisions.
The appointments, announced in a statement on Wednesday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, are part of the Nigerian Army’s ongoing restructuring aimed at strengthening its operational capacity, expanding its presence across the country and improving its ability to respond to evolving security threats.
According to the statement, the newly created divisions will begin operations immediately upon attaining Initial Operational Capability (IOC), while efforts continue toward achieving Full Operational Capability (FOC).
“The newly established Divisions will immediately commence operations in their respective locations on attainment of Initial Operational Capability (IOC), while deliberate measures are being implemented to progressively attain Full Operational Capability (FOC).
“This phased approach will ensure seamless operationalisation, operational continuity and rapid force projection across the country,” the statement said.
As part of the restructuring, the Nigerian Army also announced a realignment of divisional responsibilities across the country.
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. The 3 Division Jos will remain responsible for Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States.
The newly created 5 Division, headquartered in Makurdi, will oversee Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States, while 6 Division Port Harcourt will cover Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.
The 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 established 9 Division, based in Ilorin, will oversee Kwara and Niger States, while 10 Division, headquartered in Jalingo, will be responsible for security operations in Taraba and Adamawa States.
The 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 newly established 83 Division, with headquarters in Benin City, will oversee Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States when it becomes operational later this year.
To lead the new formations, the Army appointed several senior officers to key command positions.
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 in 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, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, to command the 10 Division in Jalingo.
Major General Moses Gara has been redeployed from Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE to head the newly established 5 Division in Makurdi while also serving as Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE.
Similarly, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda has been posted from the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance to take charge of 2 Division Ibadan.
The Army also announced the activation of three new brigades to strengthen the expanded force structure.
Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi has been appointed Commander of the newly established 11 Brigade, Gboko, Brigadier General A.M. Haruna will command the 29 Brigade, Kainji, while Brigadier General R.M. Aminu takes over as Commander of the newly established 10 Brigade in Lafia.
Lieutenant General Shaibu congratulated the newly appointed commanders and urged them to provide effective leadership, sustain operational momentum and uphold professionalism, discipline and operational excellence.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to defending the country’s sovereignty, protecting lives and property, and supporting efforts to restore lasting peace and security across Nigeria.
The Army Chief also commended President Tinubu for supporting the expansion of the Army’s operational capabilities, describing the establishment of the additional divisions as a historic milestone that would strengthen command and control, improve troop deployment, reinforce border security and enhance joint operations against emerging security threats nationwide.