Army Chief deploys new commanders as Nigerian Army activates four new divisions

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has activated operations in four newly established divisions of the Nigerian Army, approving the appointment and redeployment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) to lead the formations.

The development follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent approval for the creation of four additional army divisions aimed at strengthening the military’s force structure, expanding its operational reach, improving command and control, and boosting its capacity to tackle Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

The establishment of the new formations increases the number of Nigerian Army divisions from eight to 12.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said the COAS had directed the new divisions to immediately commence operations after attaining Initial Operational Capability (IOC).

According to her, measures are already in place to ensure the formations gradually achieve Full Operational Capability (FOC), describing the phased approach as critical to ensuring seamless operationalisation, continuity of operations, and rapid force projection across the country.

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Anele explained that the Army has also undertaken a comprehensive reorganisation of its Divisional Areas of Responsibility to reflect the expanded force 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, headquartered in Makurdi, will oversee Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states, while 6 Division Port Harcourt will retain responsibility for Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

Similarly, 7 Division Maiduguri will continue to cover Borno and Yobe states, while 8 Division Sokoto will oversee Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.

The newly established 9 Division, based in Ilorin, will be responsible for Kwara and Niger states, while 10 Division, headquartered in Jalingo, will focus on border security operations across Taraba and Adamawa states.

The 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, headquartered in Benin City, will cover Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states upon its activation later this year.

As part of the restructuring, Major General Yakubu Yahaya has been redeployed from Headquarters Joint Task Force (North Central), Operation SAVANNA SHIELD, to serve as General Officer Commanding 9 Division, Ilorin, and Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD.

Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife has been moved from Headquarters 2 Division/Sector 3 Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, to head the newly established 10 Division in Jalingo.

Major General Moses Gara has been redeployed from Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE to serve as General Officer Commanding 5 Division, Makurdi, while also retaining command of Operation WHIRL STROKE.

The COAS also redeployed Major General Auwalu Mahmuda from the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance to serve as General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Ibadan.

To further strengthen the new formations, the Army also activated three new brigades with the appointment of brigade commanders.

Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi will command the newly established 11 Brigade in Gboko, Brigadier General A.M. Haruna has been posted to head the 29 Brigade in Kainji, while Brigadier General R.M. Aminu will lead the 10 Brigade in Lafia.

Shaibu congratulated the newly appointed commanders and urged them to provide effective leadership, sustain operational momentum, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism and discipline.

He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to defending the nation’s sovereignty, protecting lives and property, and supporting efforts to achieve lasting peace and security across the country.

The Army Chief also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for supporting the expansion of the Army’s operational capabilities, describing the establishment of the new divisions as a landmark step in the ongoing transformation of the Nigerian Army.

According to him, the expanded force structure will strengthen command and control, improve operational coordination, enhance border security, facilitate faster troop deployment, and improve the military’s ability to respond swiftly to emerging security threats while reinforcing joint and multi-agency operations nationwide.