By Daniel Ado
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 Tinubu’s approval for the creation of four additional divisions.
The development is part of efforts to strengthen the Army’s force structure, expand its operational footprint, improve command and control, and enhance its capacity to tackle the country’s evolving security challenges.
In a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Army said the new divisions would commence operations upon attaining Initial Operational Capability (IOC), with plans to gradually achieve Full Operational Capability (FOC).
The statement explained that the phased operationalisation would ensure continuity of operations and rapid deployment of troops across the country.
As part of the restructuring, the Army also announced a comprehensive reorganisation of divisional areas of responsibility.
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, while the newly created 5 Division, headquartered in Makurdi, will oversee Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states.
The 6 Division Port Harcourt will retain responsibility for Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, while 7 Division Maiduguri will cover Borno and Yobe states.
The 8 Division Sokoto will continue to oversee Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
The newly established 9 Division, headquartered in Ilorin, will be responsible for Kwara and Niger states, while the new 10 Division in Jalingo will oversee security operations in the border areas of Taraba and Adamawa states.
The 81 Division Lagos will continue to supervise Lagos and Ogun states, while 82 Division Enugu will retain responsibility for Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states.
The Army also announced that the newly established 83 Division, headquartered in Benin City, will cover Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states when it becomes operational later this year.
To provide leadership for the new formations, the COAS approved the redeployment of senior officers.
Major General Yakubu Yahaya was redeployed from the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North Central), Operation Savannah Shield, to head the 9 Division in Ilorin as General Officer Commanding and Commander of Operation Savannah Shield.
Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife was moved from Headquarters 2 Division and Sector 3 of Operation Fansan Yamma to command the newly established 10 Division in Jalingo.
Major General Moses Gara was redeployed from Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke to lead the 5 Division in Makurdi, where he will also serve as Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke.
Similarly, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda was transferred from the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance to head the 2 Division in Ibadan.
The Army also activated three new brigades to strengthen the new formations.
Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi was appointed Commander of the newly established 11 Brigade in Gboko, Brigadier General A.M. Haruna will head the 29 Brigade in Kainji, while Brigadier General R.M. Aminu was posted to command the 10 Brigade in 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.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, safeguarding lives and property, and supporting efforts to achieve lasting peace and security.
The Army Chief also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for supporting the expansion of the Army’s operational capabilities, describing the creation of the additional divisions as a landmark in the transformation of the Nigerian Army.
According to him, the expanded force structure will enhance command and control, improve operational coordination, strengthen border security, facilitate faster deployment of troops and resources, and boost the Army’s capacity to respond to emerging security threats across the country.
He added that the new divisions would further strengthen joint and multi-agency operations and contribute significantly to restoring peace and stability nationwide.
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