COAS Appoints GOCs for Newly Created Army Divisions as Force Expansion Takes Shape
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has approved the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) for the Nigerian Army’s newly established divisions, marking another major milestone in the implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for the expansion of the Army from eight to twelve divisions.
The appointments, announced on Wednesday, are part of a broader reorganisation aimed at strengthening the Nigerian Army’s force structure, expanding its operational footprint, enhancing command and control, and improving its capacity to respond to the country’s evolving security challenges.
According to a statement signed by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, the newly established divisions will commence operations upon attaining Initial Operational Capability (IOC), while measures are being implemented to achieve Full Operational Capability (FOC) in phases to ensure seamless operationalisation, continuity and rapid force projection nationwide.
Under the new command structure, 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 take charge of Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states, while 6 Division Port Harcourt will retain responsibility for Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. The 7 Division Maiduguri will continue to oversee Borno and Yobe states, while 8 Division Sokoto will cover Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
Similarly, the newly established 9 Division, headquartered in Ilorin, will oversee Kwara and Niger states, while the new 10 Division, based in Jalingo, will be responsible for the border areas of Taraba and Adamawa states. The 81 Division Lagos will continue to cover 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, is expected to assume responsibility for Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states upon activation later this year.
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To lead the new formations, the COAS approved the appointment of several senior officers. Major General Yakubu Yahaya has been redeployed from the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North Central), Operation SAVANNA SHIELD, to Headquarters 9 Division, Ilorin, where he will serve as General Officer Commanding and Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD.
Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife was redeployed from Headquarters 2 Division/Sector 3 Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, to Headquarters 10 Division, Jalingo, as General Officer Commanding, while Major General Moses Gara moved from Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE to Headquarters 5 Division, Makurdi, where he assumes the dual role of General Officer Commanding and Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE.
The COAS also redeployed Major General Auwalu Mahmuda from the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance to Headquarters 2 Division, Ibadan, as General Officer Commanding.
In addition, the Nigerian Army activated three new brigades to reinforce the expanded force structure. Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi was appointed Commander of the newly established 11 Brigade, Gboko, Brigadier General A.M. Haruna will command the newly established 29 Brigade, Kainji, while Brigadier General R.M. Aminu was appointed Commander of the 10 Brigade, Lafia.
Lt.-Gen. 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 restoration of enduring peace and security across the country.
The Army Chief also expressed appreciation to 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.
According to him, the expanded force structure will significantly improve command and control, strengthen border security, facilitate faster deployment of troops and resources, enhance operational coordination, and increase the Army’s capacity to respond decisively to emerging security threats while boosting joint and multi-agency operations nationwide.