The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) for newly created Nigerian Army divisions following President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the establishment of four additional formations across the country.
The appointments are part of a broader military reorganisation aimed at strengthening the Army’s operational capacity, improving command and control, and enhancing its response to Nigeria’s growing security challenges.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said the new divisions would begin operations once they attain Initial Operational Capability (IOC), while efforts continue to achieve Full Operational Capability (FOC).
According to the statement, the phased rollout is designed to ensure seamless operationalisation, uninterrupted military operations, and faster deployment of troops nationwide.
As part of the restructuring, the Army has also redefined the areas of responsibility for its divisions. 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 remain responsible for Borno and Yobe states, and 8 Division Sokoto will continue to oversee Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
The newly created 9 Division Ilorin will supervise Kwara and Niger states, while 10 Division Jalingo will be responsible for the border areas of Taraba and Adamawa states. 81 Division Lagos will continue to oversee Lagos and Ogun states, while 82 Division Enugu retains responsibility for Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states. The new 83 Division Benin City will cover Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states once it becomes operational later this year.
To lead the new formations, the Army has redeployed several senior officers.
Major General Yakubu Yahaya has been posted from the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North Central), Operation SAVANNA SHIELD, to serve as General Officer Commanding 9 Division Ilorin 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 head 10 Division Jalingo.
Major General Moses Gara has been redeployed from Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE to command the newly established 5 Division Makurdi while also serving as Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE.
Major General Auwalu Mahmuda has been transferred from the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance to assume command 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 will command the newly established 11 Brigade in Gboko, Brigadier General A.M. Haruna will lead 29 Brigade Kainji, while Brigadier General R.M. Aminu has been appointed Commander of 10 Brigade Lafia.
Lieutenant General Shaibu congratulated the newly appointed commanders and urged them to provide effective leadership, maintain operational momentum, and uphold professionalism and discipline in carrying out their responsibilities.
He also commended President Tinubu for supporting the expansion of the Nigerian Army, describing the creation of the new divisions as a major milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s defence architecture.
According to the Army chief, the expanded force structure will improve command and control, boost border security, enhance troop deployment, strengthen joint operations with other security agencies, and improve the military’s ability to tackle emerging security threats across the country.
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