The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, on Wednesday 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 12 divisions.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Army spokesperson, Colonel Appolonia Anele.

The statement explained that the move is 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.

It further stated that the newly established divisions would 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.

According to the statement, 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.

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“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.

“The statement further added that 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.”

It added that, to provide effective leadership for the new formations, the COAS approved the appointment of seasoned senior officers as General Officers Commanding.

According to the statement, “Those appointed include Major General Yakubu Yahaya, redeployed from Headquarters Joint Task Force (North Central), Operation SAVANNA SHIELD (OPSS), to Headquarters 9 Division, Ilorin, as the General Officer Commanding and Commander, 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 Headquarters 10 Division, Jalingo, as the General Officer Commanding.

“Similarly, Major General Moses Gara has been redeployed from Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) to Headquarters 5 Division, Makurdi, where he assumes the dual appointment of General Officer Commanding and Commander, Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE.

“In the same vein, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda has been redeployed from the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance to Headquarters 2 Division, Ibadan, as the General Officer Commanding.

“In order to strengthen the newly established divisions, three new brigades were equally activated. Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi, from the Army Headquarters Operations Centre, will assume command of Headquarters 11 Brigade, Gboko, as Commander. Brigadier General A.M. Haruna has been posted from the Nigerian Army Armour School to Headquarters 29 Brigade, Kainji, as Commander. Additionally, Brigadier General R.M. Aminu has been redeployed from the National Defence College to Headquarters 10 Brigade, Lafia, as Commander.”

The statement further explained that the COAS 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 in the discharge of their responsibilities.

He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, protecting the lives and property of all law-abiding citizens, and supporting the attainment of enduring national peace and security.

It added that the COAS also expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his steadfast support and strategic investment in expanding the Nigerian Army’s operational capabilities.

He noted that the establishment of the additional divisions represents a historic milestone in the transformation of the Nigerian Army and reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s defence architecture.

The COAS emphasised that the new divisions would significantly enhance command and control, improve operational coordination, strengthen border security, facilitate faster deployment of troops and resources, and increase the Nigerian Army’s capacity to respond decisively to emerging and evolving security threats across the country.

He expressed confidence that the expanded force structure would further bolster joint and multi-agency operations, reinforce national stability, and contribute substantially to the restoration of lasting peace and security nationwide.