COAS Appoints GOCs For Newly Established Army Divisions 

COAS Appoints GOCs For Newly Established Army Divisions

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has appointed General Officers Commanding (GOCs) for the newly established Nigerian Army Divisions.

The establishment of additional Divisions was approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, last week.

The development forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the Nigerian Army’s force structure, expand its operational footprint, enhance command and control as well as improve its capacity to effectively respond to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

Those appointed include Major General Yakubu Yahaya as the General Officer Commanding Headquarters 9 Division, Ilorin, and Commander, Operation SAVANNA SHIELD.

Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife will move to  Headquarters 10 Division, Jalingo, as the General Officer Commanding, while Major General Moses Gara, moves to Makurdi as GOC of Headquarters 5 Division, and Commander, Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS).

Also appointed GOC is Major General Auwalu Mahmuda, who takes charge of Headquarters 2 Division, Ibadan.

The COAS has also established three new brigades to strengthen the newly established divisions,

The newly established brigades have Brigadier General AO Odubiyi from Army Headquarters Operations Center assuming command of Headquarters 11 Brigade Gboko as Commander, Brigadier General AM Haruna posted from the Nigerian Army Armour School to Headquarters 29 Brigade Kainji as Commander. Additionally, Brigadier General RM Aminu redeployed from the National Defence College to Headquarters 10 Brigade Lafia as Commander.

The Army chief said that the newly established Divisions will commence operations immediately in their respective locations, while deliberate measures are being implemented to progressively attain Full Operational Capability.

He said that this phased approach will ensure seamless operationalisation, operational continuity and rapid force projection across the country.

“Consequently, the Nigerian Army has undertaken a comprehensive reorganisation of its Divisional Areas of Responsibility.

Under the new structure, 1 Division Kaduna will be responsible for security in Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States, while 2 Division Ibadan will cover Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States. The 3 Division Jos will oversee Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States.

The newly established 5 Division, with Headquarters in Makurdi, will assume responsibility for Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States, while 6 Division Port Harcourt will cover Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.

The 7 Division Maiduguri will be responsible for Borno and Yobe states while 8 Division Sokoto will retain responsibility for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States.

Furthermore, the newly established 9 Division, headquartered in Ilorin, will cover Kwara and Niger States, while the newl 10 Division, headquartered in Jalingo, will be responsible for security in the boader areas of Taraba and Adamawa States.

The 81 Division Lagos will continue to oversee Lagos and Ogun States, while 82 Division Enugu will retain responsibility for Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States.

Also, the newly established 83 Division, with Headquarters in Benin City, will cover Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States when activated later in the year.

The Chief of Army Staff congratulated the newly appointed commanders and charged them to provide visionary leadership, sustain operational momentum and uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and mission effectiveness in the discharge of their responsibilities.

He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria, protecting the lives and property of all law-abiding citizens and supporting the attainment of enduring national peace and security.