COAS Appoints GOCs for New Army Divisions as Tinubu Approves Military Expansion
ABUJA — The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the appointment of General Officers Commanding for newly established Nigerian Army divisions following President Bola Tinubu’s approval to expand the Army’s command structure.
The Nigerian Army announced the development on Wednesday on its official X handle. The Army stated that the new formations will commence operations after attaining Initial Operational Capability, while measures are being put in place to achieve Full Operational Capability.
The Army said the expansion is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen its force structure, widen operational coverage, improve command and control, and enhance its capacity to respond to the country’s evolving security challenges. It added that the phased activation is intended to ensure smooth operationalisation, continuity and rapid deployment of forces across the country. Under the new structure, the Army now has 13 divisions with clearly defined areas of operation:
– *1 Division Kaduna* will cover Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States
– *2 Division Ibadan* will cover Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States
– *3 Division Jos* will cover Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States
– *5 Division Makurdi*, a newly created division, will cover Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States
– *6 Division Port Harcourt* will cover Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States
– *7 Division Maiduguri* will remain responsible for Borno and Yobe States
– *8 Division Sokoto* will cover Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States
– *9 Division Ilorin*, also newly created, will cover Kwara and Niger States
– *10 Division Jalingo*, another new division, will oversee border areas of Taraba and Adamawa States
– *81 Division Lagos* will cover Lagos and Ogun States
– *82 Division Enugu* will cover Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States
– *83 Division Benin City* will cover Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States when activated later in the year.
New Commanders Deployed
To provide leadership for the new formations, Lt. Gen. Shaibu approved the deployment of senior officers with operational experience, as Major General Yakubu Yahaya was appointed as GOC 9 Division Ilorin and Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD. He was redeployed from Headquarters Joint Task Force, North Central. Major General Moses Gara was appointed GOC 5 Division Makurdi and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE. He was redeployed from the task force headquarters. Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife was named GOC 10 Division Jalingo. He was redeployed from Headquarters 2 Division and Sector 3 Joint Task Force, North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA. 10 Division Jalingo. He was redeployed from Headquarters 2 Division and Sector 3 Joint Task Force, North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA.
Furthermore, the Army noted that the restructuring is aimed at improving operational effectiveness and enabling faster response to security threats in different regions of the country. The new divisions are expected to begin operations immediately after attaining Initial Operational Capability, which comes amid growing concerns over insecurity, particularly in the North Central and border areas. Military authorities say the new structure will allow for better coordination and quicker deployment of troops.
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