COAS Appoints GOCs for New Army Divisions

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) for the newly created Nigerian Army divisions, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of the establishment of four additional divisions to strengthen the country’s security structure.

The appointments are part of the Nigerian Army’s efforts to improve its operational capacity, widen its presence across the country, strengthen command and control, and respond more effectively to the changing security situation.

In a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Army said the new divisions would begin operations in their designated locations once they attain Initial Operational Capability (IOC). It added that further steps are being taken to ensure they gradually achieve Full Operational Capability (FOC), allowing for smooth deployment and uninterrupted military operations.

As part of the changes, the Nigerian Army has reorganised the operational responsibilities of its divisions across the country.

Under the new arrangement, the 1 Division, Kaduna, will oversee Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states. The 2 Division, Ibadan, will be responsible for Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states, while the 3 Division, Jos, will cover Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states.

The newly established 5 Division, with headquarters in Makurdi, will supervise military operations in Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states. The 6 Division, Port Harcourt, will continue to oversee Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, while the 7 Division, Maiduguri, will remain responsible for Borno and Yobe states.

The 8 Division, Sokoto, will continue to cover Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.

The newly created 9 Division, headquartered in Ilorin, will take charge of Kwara and Niger states, while the newly established 10 Division, with headquarters in Jalingo, will oversee security operations in Taraba and Adamawa states, particularly in border communities.

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 Army also disclosed that the newly established 83 Division, with headquarters in Benin City, will oversee Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states when it becomes operational later this year.

To lead the new formations, several senior officers have been redeployed to key command positions.

Major General Yakubu Yahaya has been moved from the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North Central), Operation Savannah Shield, to head the 9 Division in Ilorin. In addition to serving as General Officer Commanding, he will also command Operation Savannah Shield.

Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife has been redeployed from the Headquarters 2 Division and Sector 3 Joint Task Force, Operation Fansan Yamma, to become the General Officer Commanding of the newly established 10 Division in Jalingo.

Major General Moses Gara has also been transferred from the Headquarters Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke, to command the 5 Division in Makurdi, where he will combine the responsibilities of General Officer Commanding and Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke.

Similarly, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda has been redeployed from the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance to lead the 2 Division in Ibadan.

To strengthen the new military structure, the Army also activated three additional brigades.

Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi has been appointed Commander of the newly established 11 Brigade in Gboko after serving at the Army Headquarters Operations Centre. Brigadier General A.M. Haruna has been redeployed from the Nigerian Army Armour School to command the 29 Brigade in Kainji, while Brigadier General R.M. Aminu has been transferred from the National Defence College to lead the 10 Brigade in Lafia.

Lieutenant General Shaibu congratulated the newly appointed commanders and urged them to provide effective leadership, maintain operational readiness, uphold discipline and ensure professionalism while carrying out their duties.

He also restated the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity, safeguarding the lives and property of citizens, and supporting efforts to restore peace and security across the country.

The Army Chief appreciated President Tinubu for supporting the expansion of the Army’s operational capacity, describing the establishment of the additional divisions as a major step in the ongoing transformation of the Nigerian Army.

He said the new divisions would strengthen command and control, improve operational coordination, reinforce border security, enable quicker deployment of troops and resources, and improve the Army’s ability to respond to emerging security threats across the country. He added that the expanded force structure would also improve joint military operations and contribute to lasting peace and national stability.