By Augustine Aminu
The Nigerian Army has announced a major expansion of its operational structure with the establishment of four new divisions and the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) to lead the new formations, in a move aimed at strengthening national security and improving operational effectiveness across the country.
The development follows the approval by President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the creation of the additional divisions as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the Army’s force structure, command and control system, and capacity to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, approved the appointments of senior officers to head the new divisions, which are expected to commence operations upon attaining Initial Operational Capability (IOC), while measures continue toward achieving Full Operational Capability (FOC).
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the phased activation is designed to ensure seamless operationalisation, maintain operational continuity and enable rapid force deployment across the country.
Army Reorganises Divisional Areas of Responsibility
As part of the restructuring, the Nigerian Army has also reviewed the operational jurisdictions of its divisions.
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 to cover Borno and Yobe states, while 8 Division Sokoto retains responsibility for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
The newly established 9 Division, headquartered in Ilorin, will oversee Kwara and Niger states, while 10 Division Jalingo will be responsible for border areas in Taraba and Adamawa states.
Meanwhile, 81 Division Lagos will continue to supervise 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 created 83 Division, headquartered in Benin City, will cover Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states upon its planned activation later this year.
New General Officers Commanding Appointed
To provide leadership for the new formations, the COAS approved the deployment of experienced senior officers.
Major General Yakubu Yahaya has been redeployed from the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North Central), Operation SAVANNA SHIELD, to serve as General Officer Commanding, 9 Division Ilorin, while also serving as Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD.
Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife has been posted from Headquarters 2 Division/Sector 3 Joint Task Force, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, to assume command as General Officer Commanding, 10 Division Jalingo.
Similarly, Major General Moses Gara has been redeployed from Headquarters Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE, to head the newly established 5 Division Makurdi, where he will also serve as Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE.
Major General Auwalu Mahmuda was redeployed from the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance to become the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division Ibadan.
Three New Brigades Activated
The Nigerian Army also announced the activation of three new brigades to reinforce the newly established divisions.
Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi has been appointed Commander of the newly established 11 Brigade, Gboko, while Brigadier General A.M. Haruna will command the new 29 Brigade, Kainji.
Brigadier General R.M. Aminu has been appointed Commander of the newly established 10 Brigade, Lafia.
COAS Charges Commanders
Lieutenant General Shaibu congratulated the newly appointed commanders and urged them to demonstrate visionary leadership, sustain operational momentum and uphold professionalism, discipline and mission effectiveness in the discharge of their duties.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, safeguarding lives and property, and supporting national peace and security.
The Army Chief also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for approving the expansion of the Army’s operational structure, describing the establishment of the additional divisions as a significant milestone in the ongoing transformation of the Nigerian Army.
According to him, the expanded force structure will improve command and control, enhance operational coordination, strengthen border security, facilitate faster deployment of troops and resources, and boost the Army’s ability to respond swiftly to emerging security threats nationwide.
He added that the new formations would further strengthen joint and multi-agency operations while contributing to lasting peace, stability and national security across Nigeria.
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