ABUJA — The Nigerian Army has announced a major restructuring of its operational formations with the deployment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) to newly established divisions and the activation of three new brigades as part of efforts to strengthen national security and improve operational effectiveness.
The development follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve divisions, a move aimed at enhancing command and control, force projection, and rapid response to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, approved the appointments and postings to provide leadership for the new formations.
According to the statement, the newly established divisions will begin operations upon attaining Initial Operational Capability (IOC), while measures are already in place to ensure they subsequently achieve Full Operational Capability (FOC).
As part of the restructuring, the Army also reviewed its divisional Areas of Responsibility across the country. 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. 3 Division Jos will be responsible for Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States.
The newly created 5 Division Makurdi will oversee Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States, while 6 Division Port Harcourt will cover Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States. 7 Division Maiduguri retains responsibility for Borno and Yobe States, and 8 Division Sokoto will continue to oversee Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States.
The Army also established 9 Division Ilorin, which will be responsible for Kwara and Niger States, and 10 Division Jalingo, covering Taraba and Adamawa States. 81 Division Lagos will continue to oversee Lagos and Ogun States, while 82 Division Enugu retains responsibility for Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States. A new 83 Division Benin City, which will cover Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States, is expected to become operational later this year.
Among the senior officers redeployed, Major General Yakubu Yahaya has been appointed General Officer Commanding 9 Division Ilorin and Commander of Operation Savannah Shield, while Major General Chinedu Nnebeife takes over as General Officer Commanding 10 Division Jalingo. Major General Moses Gara has been redeployed as General Officer Commanding 5 Division Makurdi and Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, while Major General Auwalu Mahmuda assumes duty as General Officer Commanding 2 Division Ibadan.
To reinforce the new formations, the Army also activated three additional brigades. Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi will command 11 Brigade, Gboko; Brigadier General A.M. Haruna has been appointed Commander of 29 Brigade, Kainji; and Brigadier General R.M. Aminu will head 10 Brigade, Lafia.
Lieutenant General Shaibu congratulated the newly appointed commanders and urged them to provide visionary leadership, sustain operational momentum, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism and discipline.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting lives and property, and supporting national efforts to achieve lasting peace and security.
The Chief of Army Staff also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for approving 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.
According to the Army, the expanded force structure is expected to strengthen joint military operations, improve operational coordination, and enhance the country’s capacity to respond more effectively to emerging security threats across the federation.
