COAS Shaibu orders take off of new Army Divisions, appoints GOCs

By Ayorinde Oluokun

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu on Wednesday sets off operations of the newly created four divisions of Nigerian Army with the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) for the new formations.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had recently approved the establishment of the four additional Divisions as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the Nigerian Army’s force structure, expand its operational footprint, enhance command and control as well as improve the Service’s capacity to effectively respond to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

The creation of the four new divisions increased the number of divisions of Nigerian Army to 12.

In a statement on Wednesday, Appolonia Anele, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations said Shaibu has directed the newly established Divisions to immediately commence operations in the respective locations.

Anele, a Colonel, said the directive was based on attainment of Initial Operational Capability (IOC) by the new divisions.

She added that deliberate measures are being implemented to ensure that new Divisions progressively attain Full Operational Capability (FOC).

“This phased approach will ensure seamless operationalization, operational continuity and rapid force projection across the country” she said.

She added that the Nigerian Army has undertaken a comprehensive reorganisation of its Divisional Areas of Responsibility in response to the increase in the number of divisions.

Anele said under the new structure, 1 Division Kaduna will be responsible for security in Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States, while 2 Division Ibadan will cover Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States.

She added that the 3 Division, Jos, will oversee Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States.

The Army spokesperson also revealed that the newly established 5 Division, with Headquarters in Makurdi, will assume responsibility for Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States, while 6 Division Port Harcourt will cover Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.

Furthermore, the 7 Division Maiduguri will be responsible for Borno and Yobe states, while 8 Division Sokoto will retain responsibility for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States.

Also, Anele said the newly established 9 Division, headquartered in Ilorin, will cover Kwara and Niger States, while the newly established 10 Division, headquartered in Jalingo, will be responsible for security in the border areas of Taraba and Adamawa States.

The spokesperson also revealed that the 81 Division Lagos will continue to oversee Lagos and Ogun States, while 82 Division Enugu will retain responsibility for Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States.

She added that newly established 83 Division, with Headquarters in Benin City, will cover Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States when activated later in the year.

On the GOCs for the new formations, Anele said the COAS has approved the redeployment of Major General Yakubu Yahaya from Headquarters Joint Task Force (North Central), Operation SAVANNA SHIELD (OPSS), to Headquarters 9 Division, Ilorin, as the General Officer Commanding and Commander, Operation SAVANNA SHIELD.

In the same vein she said Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife has been redeployed from Headquarters 2 Division/Sector 3 Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, to Headquarters 10 Division, Jalingo, as the General Officer Commanding.

Also, Major General Moses Gara has been redeployed from Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) to Headquarters 5 Division, Makurdi, where he will assume office as General Officer Commanding as well as the Commander, Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE.

The COAS has also redeployed Major General Auwalu Mahmuda from the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance to Headquarters 2 Division, Ibadan, as the General Officer Commanding.

Furthermore, Anele said to strengthen the newly established divisions, the Nigerian Army has activated three new brigades with appointments of new commanders.

She said Brigadier General AO Odubiyi from Army Headquarters Operations Center will assume command of Headquarters 11 Brigade Gboko as Commander while Brigadier General AM Haruna has been redeployed from the Nigerian Army Armour School to Headquarters 29 Brigade Kainji as Commander.

Also, Brigadier General RM Aminu redeployed from the National Defence College to Headquarters 10 Brigade Lafia as Commander.

Anele quoted the Chief of Army Staff as congratulating the newly appointed commanders and charging them to provide visionary leadership, sustain operational momentum and uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and mission effectiveness in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Shaibu also reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria, protecting the lives and property of all law-abiding citizens and supporting the attainment of enduring national peace and security.

“Lieutenant General Shaibu also expressed profound appreciation to the President, Commander-in-Chief Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his steadfast support and strategic investment in expanding the Nigerian Army’s operational capabilities.

“He noted that the establishment of the additional Divisions represents a historic milestone in the transformation of the Nigerian Army and reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening national defence architecture.

“The COAS emphasized that the new Divisions will significantly enhance command and control, improve operational coordination, strengthen border security, facilitate faster deployment of troops and resources and increase the Nigerian Army’s capacity to respond decisively to emerging and evolving security threats across the country.

“He expressed confidence that the expanded force structure will further bolster joint and multi-agency operations, reinforce national stability and contribute substantially to the restoration of lasting peace and security nationwide.