The Nigerian Army has deployed General Officers Commanding to its newly established divisions and activated three new brigades following the expansion of its force structure from eight to twelve divisions to strengthen operational effectiveness and national security.
The appointments, approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu is coming on the heels of President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the creation of four new divisions.
The reorganization is aimed at improving command and control, force projection and the military’s ability to respond more effectively to evolving security challenges across the country.
The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele disclosed that the new divisions would begin operations after attaining Initial Operational Capability while measures were already in place to ensure they achieved Full Operational Capability.
She said the Army had also reorganised its divisional Areas of Responsibility to enhance operational effectiveness nationwide.
Under the new structure, 1 Division, Kaduna, will cover Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, while 2 Division, Ibadan, will oversee Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states.
The 3 Division, Jos, will be responsible for Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states, while the newly established 5 Division, Makurdi, will cover Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states.
According to Anele, 6 Division, Port Harcourt, will oversee Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, while 7 Division, Maiduguri, will retain responsibility for Borno and Yobe states. The 8 Division, Sokoto, will continue to cover Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
She added that the newly established 9 Division, Ilorin, would oversee Kwara and Niger states, while the newly created 10 Division, Jalingo, would be responsible for Taraba and Adamawa states.
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The 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.
Anele said the newly established 83 Division, Benin City, would oversee Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states when it is activated later this year.
As part of the postings, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya has been redeployed to Headquarters 9 Division, Ilorin, as General Officer Commanding and Commander of Operation Savannah Shield.
Maj.-Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife has been posted to Headquarters 10 Division, Jalingo, as General Officer Commanding, while Maj.-Gen. Moses Gara has been redeployed to Headquarters 5 Division, Makurdi, as General Officer Commanding and Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke.
Maj.-Gen. Auwalu Mahmuda has also been appointed General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Ibadan. The Army also activated three new brigades to strengthen the newly established divisions.
According to Anele, Brig.-Gen. A.O. Odubiyi has been appointed Commander of 11 Brigade, Gboko, Brig.-Gen. A.M. Haruna will lead 29 Brigade, Kainji, and Brig.-Gen. R.M. Aminu has been appointed Commander of 10 Brigade, Lafia.
Congratulating the newly appointed commanders, Shaibu urged them to provide visionary leadership, sustain operational momentum, and uphold professionalism and discipline.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, protecting lives and property, and supporting efforts to achieve lasting peace and national security.
The Chief of Army Staff also thanked President Tinubu for supporting the expansion of the Army’s operational capabilities, describing the establishment of the additional divisions as a historic milestone in the transformation of the Nigerian Army and Nigeria’s defence architecture.
He expressed confidence that the expanded force structure would strengthen joint operations, improve operational coordination and enhance the Army’s response to emerging security threats across the country.
News Express
