The Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) for the Nigerian Army’s newly established divisions following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for the creation of four additional divisions to strengthen the country’s security architecture.
The appointments mark a significant step in the ongoing expansion of the Nigerian Army’s force structure aimed at enhancing command and control, increasing operational reach and improving the military’s capacity to respond swiftly to evolving security threats across the country.
According to the Army, the newly created divisions will commence operations upon attaining Initial Operational Capability (IOC), while efforts continue toward achieving Full Operational Capability (FOC) through a phased implementation designed to ensure seamless deployment and operational continuity.
As part of the restructuring, the Army has realigned its Areas of Responsibility nationwide. 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. The 3 Division Jos will cover Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states.
The newly established 5 Division, headquartered in Makurdi, will assume responsibility for Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states, while 6 Division Port Harcourt will oversee Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. The 7 Division Maiduguri will retain responsibility for Borno and Yobe states, while 8 Division Sokoto will continue operations in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
The newly created 9 Division, with headquarters in Ilorin, will cover Kwara and Niger states, while 10 Division, headquartered in Jalingo, will be responsible for the border 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.
The Army also announced that the newly established 83 Division, headquartered in Benin City, will assume responsibility for Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states when it becomes operational later this year.
To lead the new formations, the COAS approved the deployment of senior officers to key command positions. Major General Yakubu Yahaya was appointed General Officer Commanding 9 Division, Ilorin, and Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD after redeployment from the Joint Task Force Headquarters (North Central).
Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife was redeployed from Headquarters 2 Division and Sector 3, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, to serve as General Officer Commanding 10 Division, Jalingo, while Major General Moses Gara was appointed General Officer Commanding 5 Division, Makurdi, with the additional responsibility of Commander, Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE.
Similarly, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda was redeployed from the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance to assume command as General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Ibadan.
To reinforce the expanded force structure, the Army also activated three new brigades. Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi will command the newly established 11 Brigade in Gboko, Brigadier General A.M. Haruna has been appointed Commander of the new 29 Brigade in Kainji, while Brigadier General R.M. Aminu will head the newly activated 10 Brigade in Lafia.
Lieutenant General Shaibu congratulated the newly appointed commanders and urged them to provide visionary leadership, maintain operational momentum and uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and mission effectiveness.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, protecting lives and property, and supporting national efforts to restore lasting peace and security.
The Army Chief also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for approving the expansion, describing the establishment of the additional divisions as a historic milestone in the transformation of the Nigerian Army and a reflection of the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s defence architecture.
According to the COAS, the expanded force structure will significantly improve command and control, strengthen border security, facilitate faster deployment of troops and resources, enhance operational coordination and boost the military’s ability to respond decisively to emerging security threats. He added that the new formations would further strengthen joint and multi-agency operations while contributing to greater national stability and enduring peace across the country.
