COAS Names GOCs for Newly Created Nigerian Army Divisions

The Nigerian Army has announced a major expansion of its operational structure following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for the establishment of four additional Army divisions aimed at strengthening national security and improving military operations across the country.

The development was announced in a statement after the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, approved the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) to lead the newly established divisions.

According to the Army, the expansion is designed to strengthen its force structure, improve command and control, expand its operational footprint and enhance its capacity to respond to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

The newly created divisions will begin operations once they attain Initial Operational Capability (IOC), while efforts continue to achieve Full Operational Capability (FOC). The Army said the phased implementation would ensure seamless operationalisation, operational continuity and rapid force projection nationwide.

As part of the restructuring, the Army has also reorganised its Areas of Responsibility across the country.

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

The newly established 5 Division Makurdi will oversee Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states, while 6 Division Port Harcourt will cover Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. 7 Division Maiduguri will remain responsible for Borno and Yobe states, while 8 Division Sokoto will continue to oversee Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.

The newly established 9 Division Ilorin will be responsible for Kwara and Niger states, while 10 Division Jalingo will oversee security operations in the border areas of Taraba and Adamawa states.

The Army also disclosed that 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 Benin City, expected to become operational later this year, will oversee Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.

To lead the new formations, the Chief of Army Staff approved the appointment of senior military officers to serve as General Officers Commanding.

Major General Yakubu Yahaya has been redeployed from the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North Central), Operation SAVANNA SHIELD, to head the newly established 9 Division Ilorin as General Officer Commanding and Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD.

Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife has been redeployed from Headquarters 2 Division and Sector 3 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA to serve as the General Officer Commanding of the newly established 10 Division Jalingo.

Similarly, Major General Moses Gara has been redeployed from the Headquarters of Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE to head the newly established 5 Division Makurdi, where he will also serve as Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE.