Nigerian Army has significantly expanded its operational structure with the creation of four new divisions and the appointment of senior commanders to lead the formations, in a major move aimed at strengthening national security and improving response to emerging threats across the country.
The development followed the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for the establishment of the additional divisions. Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, subsequently approved the deployment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) to the new formations as part of efforts to enhance command and control, widen the Army’s operational footprint and reinforce its capacity to tackle Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Announcing the appointments in a statement on Wednesday, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said the new divisions would commence operations immediately upon attaining Initial Operational Capability, while deliberate measures were being implemented to achieve Full Operational Capability in phases.
Announcing the appointments in a statement on Wednesday, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said the new divisions would commence operations immediately upon attaining Initial Operational Capability, while deliberate measures were being implemented to achieve Full Operational Capability in phases.
She explained that the approach would guarantee seamless operationalisation, operational continuity and rapid force projection across the country.
Under the new operational arrangement, 1 Division Kaduna will cover Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, while 2 Division Ibadan will oversee Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states. Three Division Jos will be responsible for Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states.
Newly established 5 Division, headquartered in Makurdi, will take charge of Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states, while 6 Division Port Harcourt will oversee Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
Under the new operational arrangement, 1 Division Kaduna will cover Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, while 2 Division Ibadan will oversee Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states. Three Division Jos will be responsible for Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states.
Newly established 5 Division, headquartered in Makurdi, will take charge of Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states, while 6 Division Port Harcourt will oversee Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
Seven Division Maiduguri will retain responsibility for Borno and Yobe states, with 8 Division Sokoto covering Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
Also approved is the establishment of 9 Division with headquarters in Ilorin to oversee Kwara and Niger states, while 10 Division, headquartered in Jalingo, will secure border areas of Taraba and Adamawa states.
Also approved is the establishment of 9 Division with headquarters in Ilorin to oversee Kwara and Niger states, while 10 Division, headquartered in Jalingo, will secure border areas of Taraba and Adamawa states.
Eighty-one Division Lagos will continue to supervise Lagos and Ogun states, while 82 Division Enugu retains responsibility for Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states. Newly created 83 Division Benin City will cover Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states when it becomes operational later this year.
As part of the restructuring, Major General Yakubu Yahaya was appointed General Officer Commanding 9 Division, Ilorin, and Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD.
As part of the restructuring, Major General Yakubu Yahaya was appointed General Officer Commanding 9 Division, Ilorin, and Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD.
Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife takes over as GOC 10 Division, Jalingo, while Major General Moses Gara assumes the dual role of GOC 5 Division, Makurdi, and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE.
Lieutenant General Shaibu also approved the appointment of Major General Auwalu Mahmuda as General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Ibadan.
Lieutenant General Shaibu also approved the appointment of Major General Auwalu Mahmuda as General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Ibadan.
To further strengthen the new formations, three additional brigades were activated with Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi posted to 11 Brigade, Gboko, Brigadier General A.M. Haruna to 29 Brigade, Kainji, and Brigadier General R.M. Aminu to 10 Brigade, Lafia, as commanders.
The Army Chief congratulated the newly appointed commanders and urged them to provide visionary leadership, sustain operational momentum and uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and mission effectiveness.
The Army Chief congratulated the newly appointed commanders and urged them to provide visionary leadership, sustain operational momentum and uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and mission effectiveness.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting the nation’s sovereignty, securing lives and property, and supporting lasting peace and stability across Nigeria.
Shaibu also commended President Tinubu for his continued support and strategic investment in expanding the Army’s operational capabilities, describing the establishment of the additional divisions as a historic milestone in the ongoing transformation of the Nigerian Army.
Shaibu also commended President Tinubu for his continued support and strategic investment in expanding the Army’s operational capabilities, describing the establishment of the additional divisions as a historic milestone in the ongoing transformation of the Nigerian Army.
He expressed confidence that the expanded force structure would strengthen border security, improve operational coordination, facilitate faster deployment of troops and enhance joint security operations nationwide
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