Army Reshuffles Top Commanders After Tinubu Approved Four New Divisions
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) to four newly established Nigerian Army Divisions following President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the expansion of the Army’s force structure to strengthen national security and improve the country’s response to growing security threats.
The appointments, announced on Wednesday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, follow President Tinubu’s approval for the establishment of four additional Army Divisions as part of a major reorganisation aimed at expanding the Nigerian Army’s operational footprint, strengthening command and control, and improving its capacity to respond to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
According to the statement, the newly established Divisions will immediately begin operations in their respective locations upon attaining Initial Operational Capability (IOC), while measures are being implemented to progressively achieve Full Operational Capability (FOC).
The Army said the phased activation is designed to ensure seamless operationalisation, operational continuity and rapid force projection across the country.
As part of the restructuring, the Nigerian Army has also reorganised its Divisional Areas of Responsibility across the federation.
Under the new operational structure, 1 Division Kaduna will be responsible for Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, while 2 Division Ibadan will oversee security operations in Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states.
The 3 Division Jos will cover Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states.
The newly established 5 Division, headquartered in Makurdi, will assume responsibility for Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states, while 6 Division Port Harcourt will oversee Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
The 7 Division Maiduguri will retain responsibility for Borno and Yobe states, while 8 Division Sokoto will continue to oversee Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
The newly created 9 Division, headquartered in Ilorin, will cover Kwara and Niger states, while the newly established 10 Division, with headquarters in Jalingo, will be responsible for securing the border areas of Taraba and Adamawa states.
Similarly, 81 Division Lagos will continue to oversee Lagos and Ogun states, while 82 Division Enugu will retain responsibility for Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states.
The Army also disclosed that the newly established 83 Division, headquartered in Benin City, will oversee Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states when it becomes operational later this year.
To provide leadership for the new formations, Lieutenant General Shaibu approved the deployment of several senior officers to head the divisions.
Major General Yakubu Yahaya has been redeployed from the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North Central), Operation SAVANNA SHIELD (OPSS), to Headquarters 9 Division, Ilorin, where he will serve as General Officer Commanding and Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD.
Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife was redeployed from Headquarters 2 Division/Sector 3 Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, to Headquarters 10 Division, Jalingo, as General Officer Commanding.
Also, Major General Moses Gara was moved from Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) to Headquarters 5 Division, Makurdi, where he assumes the dual role of General Officer Commanding and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE.
In another major redeployment, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda was transferred from the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance to Headquarters 2 Division, Ibadan, as General Officer Commanding.
The Army also announced the activation of three new brigades to reinforce the newly established divisions.
Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi was redeployed from the Army Headquarters Operations Centre to command the newly established 11 Brigade, Gboko, while Brigadier General A.M. Haruna was posted from the Nigerian Army Armour School to serve as Commander of 29 Brigade, Kainji.
Similarly, Brigadier General R.M. Aminu was redeployed from the National Defence College to command the newly established 10 Brigade, Lafia.
Congratulating the newly appointed commanders, Lieutenant General Shaibu 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 commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, protecting the lives and property of law-abiding citizens, and supporting efforts to achieve lasting peace and national security.
The Army Chief also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for what he described as the President’s steadfast support and strategic investment in expanding the Nigerian Army’s operational capabilities.
According to him, the creation of the additional divisions represents a historic milestone in the transformation of the Nigerian Army and demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s defence architecture.
Lieutenant General Shaibu further stated that the expanded force structure would significantly improve command and control, enhance operational coordination, strengthen border security, facilitate faster deployment of troops and military resources, and increase the Army’s ability to respond swiftly and decisively to emerging and evolving security threats across the country.
He expressed confidence that the new divisions would further enhance joint and multi-agency military operations, reinforce national stability and make significant contributions towards restoring lasting peace and security across Nigeria.
