By: Odeh Favour Adiya
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) to lead the newly established Nigerian Army Divisions.
This development follows the approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for the establishment of four additional divisions.
The Nigerian Army, taking to its official X handle to disclose the news, stated that the landmark development forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen its force structure, expand operational footprint, enhance command and control, and improve capacity to effectively respond to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
According to the official post, the newly established divisions will immediately commence operations in their respective locations upon attaining Initial Operational Capability (IOC), while deliberate measures are being implemented to progressively reach Full Operational Capability (FOC).
The army explained that this phased approach will ensure seamless operationalisation, operational continuity, and rapid force projection across the country.
Consequently, the military high command has undertaken a comprehensive reorganisation of its Divisional Areas of Responsibility across the federation.
Under the revised structure, 1 Division Kaduna will oversee security in Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa States, while 2 Division Ibadan covers Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo States. 3 Division Jos retains responsibility for Plateau, Bauchi, and Gombe States.
The newly created 5 Division, headquartered in Makurdi, will assume responsibility for Benue, Nasarawa, and Kogi States, while 6 Division Port Harcourt covers Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States.
Furthermore, 7 Division Maiduguri maintains focus on Borno and Yobe States, while 8 Division Sokoto retains responsibility for Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara States.
The newly established 9 Division, headquartered in Ilorin, will cover Kwara and Niger States, while the 10 Division, with headquarters in Jalingo, takes charge of border areas in Taraba and Adamawa States.
Meanwhile, 81 Division Lagos continues to oversee Lagos and Ogun States, while 82 Division Enugu retains responsibility for Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, and Imo States.
The newly established 83 Division, headquartered in Benin City, is set to cover Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa States when activated later in the year.
To lead the new formations, the Army Chief approved the redeployment of several senior officers as GOCs.
Major General Yakubu Yahaya has been redeployed from Headquarters Joint Task Force (North Central) Operation SAVANNA SHIELD to Headquarters 9 Division, Ilorin, as GOC and Commander, Operation SAVANNA SHIELD.
Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife moves from Headquarters 2 Division/Sector 3 Joint Task Force (North West) Operation FANSAN YAMMA to assume command as GOC of 10 Division, Jalingo.
Similarly, Major General Moses Gara moves from Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE to Headquarters 5 Division, Makurdi, where he assumes the dual role of GOC and Commander, Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE.
In the same vein, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda has been redeployed from the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance to Headquarters 2 Division, Ibadan, as General Officer Commanding.
The Army added that in order to strengthen the newly established divisions, three new brigades were equally activated, with Brigadier General AO Odubiyi and Brigadier General AM Haruna among the newly appointed brigade commanders.
