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By Philip Nwosu and Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) for the newly established Nigerian Army divisions following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for the creation of four additional divisions to strengthen the nation’s security architecture.
The appointments form part of the Nigerian Army’s ongoing reorganisation aimed at expanding its operational footprint, improving command and control, and enhancing its capacity to respond more effectively to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
According to the Army, the newly created divisions will commence operations upon attaining Initial Operational Capability (IOC), while efforts will continue to ensure they achieve Full Operational Capability (FOC) in phases.
The phased implementation is expected to guarantee seamless operationalisation, sustain military operations and improve force projection across the country.
As part of the restructuring, the Army has reviewed the areas of responsibility of its divisions.
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 established 5 Division, headquartered in Makurdi, will supervise operations in Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states, while 6 Division, Port Harcourt, will retain responsibility for Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
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Similarly, 7 Division, Maiduguri, will cover Borno and Yobe states, while 8 Division, Sokoto, will continue to oversee Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
The newly created 9 Division, with headquarters in Ilorin, will be responsible for Kwara and Niger states, while 10 Division, Jalingo, will oversee security operations in 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 83 Division, headquartered in Benin City, will assume responsibility for Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states upon its activation later this year.
To lead the new formations, the COAS approved the deployment of senior officers with extensive operational experience.
Major General Yakubu Yahaya has been redeployed from the 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 assume duty as General Officer Commanding of the newly established 10 Division, Jalingo.
Also, Major General Moses Gara has been redeployed from Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE to head the newly established 5 Division, Makurdi, where he will serve in the dual capacity of General Officer Commanding and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE.
The appointments are expected to strengthen operational leadership across the newly created formations and support the Nigerian Army’s efforts to improve security, decentralise command and respond more rapidly to emerging threats nationwide.
