COAS Appoints GOCs as Nigerian Army Expands with Four New Divisions

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) to the Nigerian Army's newly established divisions following presidential approval for the creation of four additional divisions aimed at strengthening national security operations.

The development follows the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for the establishment of the new formations as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the Army's force structure, improve command and control, expand operational reach and boost its capacity to tackle Nigeria's evolving security challenges.

According to a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the newly created divisions will commence operations immediately upon attaining Initial Operational Capability (IOC), with measures already underway to achieve Full Operational Capability (FOC) in phases to ensure seamless deployment and operational effectiveness.

Under the new operational structure, the Nigerian Army has reorganised its divisional areas of responsibility. The 1 Division Kaduna will oversee Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, while 2 Division Ibadan will cover Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo. The 3 Division Jos will be responsible for Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe 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. The 7 Division Maiduguri will continue operations in Borno and Yobe, while 8 Division Sokoto will remain responsible for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.

Also, the newly established 9 Division, headquartered in Ilorin, will cover Kwara and Niger states, while the 10 Division, based in Jalingo, will secure the border areas of 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 planned 83 Division, headquartered in Benin City, will cover Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states upon activation later this year.

To lead the new formations, the COAS approved the redeployment of senior officers. Major General Yakubu Yahaya moves from 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 head the newly established 10 Division in Jalingo.

Similarly, Major General Moses Gara takes over as General Officer Commanding, 5 Division Makurdi, while also serving as Commander of Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE. Major General Auwalu Mahmuda has been redeployed from the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance to serve as General Officer Commanding, 2 Division Ibadan.

The Army also activated three additional brigades to reinforce the new divisions. Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi has been appointed Commander of the newly established 11 Brigade, Gboko; Brigadier General A.M. Haruna will command the newly activated 29 Brigade, Kainji; while Brigadier General R.M. Aminu has been posted to command the 10 Brigade, Lafia.

Lieutenant General Shaibu congratulated the newly appointed commanders and urged them to provide visionary leadership, sustain operational momentum and uphold professionalism, discipline and mission effectiveness in their new responsibilities.

He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army's commitment to defending Nigeria's sovereignty, protecting lives and property, and supporting efforts to achieve lasting peace and national security.

The Army Chief also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his continued support and strategic investment in strengthening 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, enhance border security, accelerate troop deployment, strengthen joint and multi-agency operations, and improve the Army's ability to respond swiftly and decisively to emerging security threats across the country.