The Nigerian Army has announced a major restructuring of its operational command with the creation of four new divisions and the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) to lead the new formations as part of efforts to strengthen national security and improve military operations across the country.
The appointments were approved by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, following President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the establishment of the additional divisions.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the expansion is intended to strengthen the Army’s force structure, widen its operational presence, improve command and control, and enhance its capacity to respond to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
The newly created divisions include the 5 Division with headquarters in Makurdi, the 9 Division in Ilorin, the 10 Division in Jalingo, and the 83 Division in Benin City. While the first three divisions are expected to begin operations after attaining Initial Operational Capability, the 83 Division will be activated later this year.
As part of the reorganisation, the Army 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 cover Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo. The 3 Division Jos will be responsible for Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states.
The 5 Division Makurdi will supervise operations in Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states, while 6 Division Port Harcourt will cover Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River. The 7 Division Maiduguri will remain responsible for Borno and Yobe, and 8 Division Sokoto will continue to oversee Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
The 9 Division Ilorin will cover Kwara and Niger states, while the 10 Division Jalingo will be responsible for border areas in Taraba and Adamawa states. The 81 Division Lagos will retain responsibility for Lagos and Ogun states, while 82 Division Enugu will continue to oversee Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states. The 83 Division Benin City will, upon activation, take charge of Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.
The Army also announced the appointment of senior officers to lead the new formations. Major General Yakubu Yahaya was posted to Headquarters 9 Division, Ilorin, as General Officer Commanding and Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD. Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife was appointed General Officer Commanding of the 10 Division in Jalingo, while Major General Moses Gara was deployed to Headquarters 5 Division, Makurdi, where he will also serve as Commander of Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE.
In addition, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda was redeployed to Headquarters 2 Division, Ibadan, as General Officer Commanding.
The Army also activated three new brigades to reinforce the expanded structure. Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi was appointed Commander of the 11 Brigade, Gboko, Brigadier General A.M. Haruna will head the 29 Brigade, Kainji, while Brigadier General R.M. Aminu was posted to command the 10 Brigade, Lafia.
Lieutenant General Shaibu urged the newly appointed commanders to provide effective leadership, maintain operational momentum and uphold professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
He also thanked President Tinubu for supporting the expansion of the Army’s operational capabilities, describing the creation of the new divisions as a significant milestone in the ongoing transformation of the Nigerian Army.
According to the Army chief, the additional divisions will strengthen command and control, improve operational coordination, enhance border security, enable quicker deployment of troops and resources, and boost the military’s ability to respond to emerging security threats across the country. He added that the expansion would also improve joint and multi-agency operations in support of national peace and security.
