Army Appoints GOCs for Four New Divisions as Operations Commence

The Nigerian Army has appointed four General Officers Commanding (GOCs) to lead its newly established divisions following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of a major expansion of the force aimed at strengthening national security and operational effectiveness.

The appointments, announced by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, come less than a week after President Tinubu approved the expansion of the Army from eight to 12 divisions and authorized the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel.

The newly created formations include the 5 Division Headquarters in Makurdi, which will oversee Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states; the 9 Division Headquarters in Ilorin, responsible for Kwara and Niger states; the 10 Division Headquarters in Jalingo, covering Taraba and Adamawa states; and the 83 Division Headquarters in Benin, which will oversee Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.

As part of the reorganisation, existing divisions have also been assigned new areas of responsibility. The 1 Division, Kaduna, will oversee Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, while the 2 Division, Ibadan, will cover Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states. The 3 Division, Jos, will be responsible for Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states, while the 6 Division, Port Harcourt, will oversee Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. The 7 Division, Maiduguri, retains responsibility for Borno and Yobe states, while the 8 Division, Sokoto, continues to cover Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.

According to a statement issued by the Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya has been redeployed from the Headquarters of Joint Task Force (North Central), Operation SAVANNA SHIELD, to serve as General Officer Commanding of the 9 Division, Ilorin, where he will also command Operation SAVANNA SHIELD.

Maj.-Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife has been transferred from Headquarters 2 Division/Sector 3, Joint Task Force (Northwest), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, to assume command of the 10 Division, Jalingo.

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

The Army also appointed Maj.-Gen. Auwalu Mahmuda, formerly of the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance, as the new General Officer Commanding of the 2 Division, Ibadan.

To further strengthen the new command structure, the Army has activated three additional brigades. Brig.-Gen. A.O. Odubiyi has been appointed Commander of the 11 Brigade, Gboko, Benue State; Brig.-Gen. A.M. Haruna will command the 29 Brigade, Kainji, Niger State; while Brig.-Gen. R.M. Aminu takes charge of the 10 Brigade, Lafia, Nasarawa State.

Col. Anele stated that the new divisions would begin operations immediately after attaining Initial Operational Capability (IOC), with plans already underway to achieve Full Operational Capability (FOC) in phases.

She explained that the phased implementation would ensure a seamless transition, sustain operational continuity and enhance the Army’s ability to rapidly deploy troops to address security challenges across the country.

The Army has also carried out a comprehensive review of its divisional areas of responsibility to align with the expanded force structure and improve operational coordination.

Congratulating the newly appointed commanders, Lt.-Gen. Shaibu urged them to demonstrate exemplary leadership, maintain operational momentum, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and mission effectiveness.

He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to defending the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, protecting the lives and property of citizens, and supporting efforts to achieve lasting peace and security nationwide.