The Nigerian Army has announced the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) for its newly created divisions following the Federal Government’s approval of a major expansion of the military’s operational structure.
The appointments, approved by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, signal the commencement of operations for the newly established formations, which are expected to strengthen the Army’s capacity to tackle security challenges across the country.
President Bola Tinubu recently approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions as part of efforts to improve national security.
The approval also included the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to reinforce the force.
The new divisions are headquartered in Makurdi, Benue State; Ilorin, Kwara State; Jalingo, Taraba State; and Benin City, Edo State.
They will oversee military operations across designated states to improve command, control and rapid deployment.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, disclosed the appointments in a statement issued on Wednesday, describing the development as a major milestone in the Army’s ongoing reorganisation.
According to the statement, Major General Yakubu Yahaya has been redeployed from the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North Central), Operation SAVANNA SHIELD, to head the newly created 9 Division in Ilorin.
He will also serve as 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 become the General Officer Commanding of the newly established 10 Division in Jalingo.
Similarly, Major General Moses Gara has been redeployed from the Headquarters Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE, to lead the new 5 Division in Makurdi, where he will also serve as Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE.
Major General Auwalu Mahmuda has been transferred from the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance to Headquarters 2 Division in Ibadan as the new General Officer Commanding.
To complement the expanded divisional structure, the Army also announced the activation of three additional brigades.
Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi has been appointed Commander of the newly established 11 Brigade in Gboko after serving at the Army Headquarters Operations Centre. Brigadier General A.M. Haruna has been posted from the Nigerian Army Armour School to command the 29 Brigade in Kainji, while Brigadier General R.M. Aminu leaves the National Defence College to head the 10 Brigade in Lafia.
Anele explained that the new divisions would begin operations immediately after attaining Initial Operational Capability (IOC), while efforts would continue towards achieving Full Operational Capability (FOC).
She noted that the phased activation would ensure smooth operational transition, maintain continuity in military operations and enhance rapid force projection across the country.
The Army also announced a comprehensive review of the Areas of Responsibility for all divisions to reflect the expanded structure.
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. The 3 Division, Jos, will be responsible for Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states.
The newly created 5 Division, Makurdi, will oversee Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states, while 6 Division, Port Harcourt, will continue to cover Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. The 7 Division, Maiduguri, retains responsibility for Borno and Yobe states, while 8 Division, Sokoto, remains responsible for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
The 9 Division in Ilorin will supervise military operations in Kwara and Niger states, while the 10 Division in Jalingo will oversee border operations in Taraba and Adamawa states.
The 81 Division, Lagos, will continue to cover Lagos and Ogun states, while the 82 Division, Enugu, remains responsible for Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states. The new 83 Division, headquartered in Benin City, will oversee Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states once it becomes fully operational later this year.
Anele said the Chief of Army Staff congratulated the newly appointed commanders and urged them to provide effective leadership, sustain operational momentum and uphold professionalism, discipline and mission effectiveness.
She added that Lt.-Gen. Shaibu reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting lives and property, and supporting efforts to achieve lasting peace and security nationwide.
