The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the deployment of senior military officers to head newly established Nigerian Army divisions following President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the creation of four additional divisions in a major reorganisation aimed at strengthening the country’s defence architecture and enhancing the military’s response to growing security threats.
The appointments, announced on Wednesday, place experienced field commanders at the helm of the new formations as the Nigerian Army embarks on one of its most significant force structure expansions in recent years.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the newly established divisions will begin operations immediately upon attaining Initial Operational Capability (IOC), while efforts continue towards achieving Full Operational Capability (FOC).
She said the phased activation would guarantee operational continuity while enabling the Army to rapidly project forces across critical theatres of operation nationwide.
Leading the new appointments, Major General Yakubu Yahaya has been redeployed from the Headquarters of Joint Task Force (North Central), Operation SAVANNA SHIELD, to Headquarters 9 Division, Ilorin, where he will serve as General Officer Commanding (GOC) and Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD.
Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife was moved from Headquarters 2 Division/Sector 3, Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, to Headquarters 10 Division, Jalingo, as the General Officer Commanding.
Similarly, Major General Moses Gara has been redeployed from the Headquarters of Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE to Headquarters 5 Division, Makurdi, where he assumes the dual responsibility of General Officer Commanding and Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE.
In addition, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda has been redeployed from the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance to Headquarters 2 Division, Ibadan, as the new General Officer Commanding.
To reinforce the expanded force structure, the Army also activated three additional 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, posted from the National Defence College, has been appointed Commander of the newly established 10 Brigade, Lafia.
The creation of the new divisions has also triggered a comprehensive reorganisation of the Nigerian Army’s Areas of Responsibility across the federation.
Under the new structure, 1 Division Kaduna will oversee Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States, while 2 Division Ibadan will be responsible for Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States.
The newly established 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.
The 7 Division Maiduguri will continue to supervise military operations in Borno and Yobe States, while 8 Division Sokoto will remain responsible for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States.
The new 9 Division, headquartered in Ilorin, will oversee Kwara and Niger States, while 10 Division Jalingo will be responsible for border security operations in Taraba and Adamawa States.
Meanwhile, 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, with headquarters in Benin City, will assume responsibility for Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States when it becomes operational later this year.
Lieutenant General Shaibu congratulated the newly appointed commanders and urged them to provide visionary leadership, maintain professionalism and discipline, and sustain the momentum of ongoing military operations.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, safeguarding the lives and property of citizens, and supporting national efforts to restore lasting peace and security.
The Army Chief also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for approving the establishment of the additional divisions, describing the decision as a historic milestone in the transformation of the Nigerian Army.
According to him, the expanded force structure will significantly improve command and control, strengthen operational coordination, enhance border security, accelerate troop deployment, and increase the Army’s capacity to respond swiftly to emerging and evolving security threats.
