Tinubu Approves Four New Army Divisions as COAS Appoints GOCs to Strengthen Security Operations



By Aviashima Toom, Abuja 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of four additional Nigerian Army divisions as part of efforts to strengthen the military's operational capacity and improve responses to the country's security challenges.

Following the presidential approval, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, announced the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) to lead the newly created formations.

The new divisions—5 Division Makurdi, 9 Division Ilorin, 10 Division Jalingo and 83 Division Benin City—are expected to expand the Nigerian Army's operational footprint, improve command and control, and enhance force projection across the country.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the divisions will commence operations upon attaining Initial Operational Capability (IOC), with measures already in place to achieve Full Operational Capability (FOC) in phases.

As part of the restructuring, the Army also announced a reorganisation of divisional areas of responsibility nationwide. 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.

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

Similarly, the new 9 Division in Ilorin will cover Kwara and Niger states, while the 10 Division in Jalingo will be responsible for border areas in Taraba and Adamawa states. The 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 83 Division in Benin City will oversee Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states when it becomes operational later this year.

To lead the new formations, the COAS appointed Major General Yakubu Yahaya as General Officer Commanding (GOC) 9 Division and Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD; Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife as GOC 10 Division; and Major General Moses Gara as GOC 5 Division and Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE.

Lieutenant General Shaibu also redeployed Major General Auwalu Mahmuda to serve as GOC 2 Division Ibadan.

In addition, the Army activated three new brigades to support the expanded force structure. Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi was appointed Commander of the newly established 11 Brigade, Gboko; Brigadier General A.M. Haruna will head the 29 Brigade, Kainji; while Brigadier General R.M. Aminu takes command of the 10 Brigade, Lafia.

The COAS congratulated the newly appointed commanders and charged them to provide visionary leadership, sustain operational momentum and uphold professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army's commitment to protecting the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, safeguarding lives and property, and supporting the restoration of lasting peace and security.

Shaibu also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for supporting the expansion of the Army's operational capabilities, describing the creation of the new divisions as a historic milestone in the transformation of the Nigerian Army and a significant boost to Nigeria's defence architecture.

He said the expanded force structure would enhance command and control, strengthen border security, improve operational coordination, facilitate faster deployment of troops and resources, and increase the military's capacity to respond effectively to emerging security threats across the country.

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