Nigerian Army Unveils New Division Commanders as Tinubu Approves Expansion to 12 Divisions
By Emeka Amaefula
The Nigerian Army has announced the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) for its newly established divisions following the Federal Government’s approval of a major expansion of the Army’s force structure aimed at strengthening national security and improving military operations across the country.
The restructuring, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in response to the nation’s prevailing security challenges, expands the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and authorises the recruitment of an additional 28,000 personnel to enhance operational effectiveness. The appointments, approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, mark the commencement of operations for the newly created formations.
The four new divisions are the 5 Division, Makurdi; 9 Division, Ilorin; 10 Division, Jalingo; and 83 Division, Benin City. The Army said the new formations are designed to strengthen command and control, improve force projection and ensure rapid response to emerging security threats within their respective areas of responsibility.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Army described the appointments as a significant milestone in its ongoing reorganisation and expansion strategy to bolster internal security operations nationwide.
Under the new deployment, Major General Yakubu Yahaya has been appointed General Officer Commanding of the newly established 9 Division in Ilorin and Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD after serving at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North Central), 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 assume command as the General Officer Commanding of the newly created 10 Division in Jalingo.
Major General Moses Gara has been moved from Headquarters, Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE, to serve as General Officer Commanding of the 5 Division in Makurdi while simultaneously retaining responsibility as Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE.
Also redeployed is Major General Auwalu Mahmuda, who moves from the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance to Headquarters, 2 Division, Ibadan, as General Officer Commanding.
To strengthen the expanded command structure, the Army has equally activated three new brigades. Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi, formerly of the Army Headquarters Operations Centre, has been appointed Commander of the 11 Brigade in Gboko. Brigadier General A.M. Haruna has been posted from the Nigerian Army Armour School to command the 29 Brigade in Kainji, while Brigadier General R.M. Aminu has been redeployed from the National Defence College to head the 10 Brigade in Lafia.
According to the Army, the newly created divisions will commence operations immediately upon attaining Initial Operational Capability, with comprehensive measures already in place to ensure their gradual transition to Full Operational Capability.
Colonel Anele explained that the phased operationalisation would guarantee seamless transition, operational continuity and enhanced force projection across the federation while improving the Army’s ability to respond swiftly to evolving security threats.
As part of the restructuring, the Nigerian Army has also reviewed the operational areas of responsibility for its divisions. Under the new arrangement, the 1 Division, Kaduna, will oversee Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, while the 2 Division, Ibadan, will be responsible for Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states. The 3 Division, Jos, will cover Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states.
The newly established 5 Division, Makurdi, will supervise Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states, while the 6 Division, Port Harcourt, will retain operational responsibility for Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. The 7 Division, Maiduguri, will continue to oversee Borno and Yobe states, while the 8 Division, Sokoto, will remain responsible for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
The new 9 Division, Ilorin, will cover Kwara and Niger states, while the 10 Division, Jalingo, will oversee the border areas of Taraba and Adamawa states.
Similarly, the 81 Division, Lagos, will continue to supervise Lagos and Ogun states, while the 82 Division, Enugu, will retain responsibility for Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states. The newly established 83 Division, Benin City, will oversee Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states upon becoming fully operational later this year.
The Army expressed confidence that the expanded force structure and revised command architecture will significantly enhance operational efficiency, improve inter-agency coordination and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to address contemporary security challenges across all geopolitical zones.
— Emeka Amaefula
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