Army Creates Four New Divisions, Appoints GOCs to Strengthen National Security

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) to four newly established Nigerian Army divisions as part of a major restructuring aimed at strengthening the nation's security architecture and improving the Army's operational effectiveness.

The appointments followed President Bola Tinubu's approval for the establishment of four additional divisions to expand the Nigerian Army's force structure, enhance command and control, and improve its capacity to respond to evolving security challenges across the country.

According to a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the new divisions will commence operations upon attaining Initial Operational Capability (IOC), while efforts are underway to ensure they achieve Full Operational Capability (FOC) through a phased implementation designed to guarantee operational continuity and rapid force projection nationwide.

As part of the reorganisation, the Army has also reviewed 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 be responsible for Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states. The 3 Division Jos will cover Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states.

The newly created 5 Division, headquartered in Makurdi, will take charge of Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states, while 6 Division Port Harcourt will continue to oversee 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.

The new 9 Division, with headquarters in Ilorin, will cover Kwara and Niger states, while the 10 Division, headquartered in Jalingo, will oversee the border areas of Taraba and Adamawa states. The 81 Division Lagos will continue to cover Lagos and Ogun states, while 82 Division Enugu will retain 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 upon its activation later in the year.

To lead the new formations, the COAS approved the deployment of senior officers to key commands. Major General Yakubu Yahaya was redeployed from Headquarters Joint Task Force (North Central), Operation SAVANNA SHIELD, to head the 9 Division in Ilorin as General Officer Commanding and Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD.

Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife was posted from Headquarters 2 Division/Sector 3 Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, to command the newly established 10 Division in Jalingo, while Major General Moses Gara moved from Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE to serve as General Officer Commanding of the 5 Division in Makurdi and Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE.

Similarly, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda was redeployed from the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance to take over as General Officer Commanding of the 2 Division in Ibadan.

The Army also announced the activation of three new brigades to strengthen the newly established divisions. Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi was appointed Commander of the 11 Brigade in Gboko, Brigadier General A.M. Haruna will command the 29 Brigade in Kainji, while Brigadier General R.M. Aminu was deployed to head the 10 Brigade in Lafia.

Lieutenant General Shaibu congratulated the newly appointed commanders and urged them to provide 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 defending the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, protecting the lives and property of law-abiding citizens, and supporting the restoration of lasting peace and security across the nation.

The Army Chief also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his continued support and strategic investment in expanding the Army's operational capabilities, describing the creation of the additional divisions as a historic milestone in the ongoing transformation of the Nigerian Army.

According to him, the expanded force structure will significantly 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 and decisively to emerging security threats across Nigeria.