COAS Appoints GOCs to Newly Established Nigerian Army Divisions
By Brown Chimezie
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) to the newly established Nigerian Army divisions following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for the creation of four additional divisions.
The appointments form part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the Nigerian Army’s force structure, expand its operational footprint, enhance command and control, and improve its capacity to respond effectively to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
In ia statement, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said the newly established divisions would commence operations in their respective locations upon attaining Initial Operational Capability (IOC), while deliberate measures are being implemented to achieve Full Operational Capability (FOC).
According to the statement, the phased approach is designed to ensure seamless operationalisation, operational continuity, and rapid force projection across the country.
As part of the reorganisation, the Nigerian Army has redefined the Areas of Responsibility (AOR) for its divisions.
Under the new structure, 1 Division, Kaduna, will be responsible for Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, while 2 Division, Ibadan, will cover Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states. 3 Division, Jos, will oversee Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states.
The newly established 5 Division, Makurdi, will be responsible for Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states, while 6 Division, Port Harcourt, will cover Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. 7 Division, Maiduguri, will oversee Borno and Yobe states, while 8 Division, Sokoto, will retain responsibility for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
Similarly, the newly established 9 Division, Ilorin, will cover Kwara and Niger states, while the newly created 10 Division, Jalingo, will be responsible for border areas in Taraba and Adamawa states.
Meanwhile, 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 newly established 83 Division, Benin City, will cover Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states when it becomes operational later this year.
OTo provide effective leadership for the new formations, the COAS approved the appointment of seasoned senior officers as General Officers Commanding.
Major General Yakubu Yahaya has been redeployed from the Headquarters, Joint Task Force (North Central), Operation SAVANNA SHIELD, to Headquarters, 9 Division, Ilorin, as General Officer Commanding and Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD.
Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife has been redeployed from Headquarters, 2 Division/Sector 3, Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, to Headquarters, 10 Division, Jalingo, as General Officer Commanding.
Similarly, Major General Moses Gara has been redeployed from Headquarters, Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE, to Headquarters, 5 Division, Makurdi, where he assumes the dual appointment of General Officer Commanding and Commander, Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE.
Also, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda has been redeployed from the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance to Headquarters, 2 Division, Ibadan, as General Officer Commanding.
To further strengthen the newly established divisions, the Nigerian Army also activated three new brigades.
Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi, formerly of the Army Headquarters Operations Centre, has been appointed Commander of the newly established 11 Brigade, Gboko. Brigadier General A.M. Haruna, redeployed from the Nigerian Army Armour School, will command the newly established 29 Brigade, Kainji, while Brigadier General R.M. Aminu, formerly of the National Defence College, has been appointed Commander of the newly established 10 Brigade, Lafia.
Lieutenant General Shaibu congratulated the newly appointed commanders and charged 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 safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, protecting the lives and property of law-abiding citizens, and supporting the attainment of enduring peace and security.
The Army Chief also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for his unwavering support and strategic investment in expanding the Nigerian Army’s operational capabilities.
He described 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 the nation’s defence architecture.
According to the COAS, the new divisions will significantly enhance command and control, improve operational coordination, strengthen border security, facilitate faster deployment of troops and resources, and increase the Army’s capacity to respond decisively to emerging and evolving security threats.
He expressed confidence that the expanded force structure would further bolster joint and multi-agency operations, reinforce national stability, and contribute significantly to the restoration of lasting peace and security across the country.
