By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Nigerian Army has deployed General Officers Commanding (GOCs) to its newly established divisions and activated three new brigades as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen its operational capabilities and enhance national security.
The appointments followed President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions to improve command and control, force projection and response to evolving security challenges.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, approved the appointments and postings to provide leadership for the newly established formations.
According to a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, on Wednesday, the new divisions will commence operations after attaining Initial Operational Capability (IOC).
She said deliberate measures were also being implemented to ensure the formations achieved Full Operational Capability (FOC).
Anele said the Army had consequently reorganised its divisional Areas of Responsibility to improve operational effectiveness across the country.
She said 1 Division Kaduna would cover Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, while 2 Division Ibadan would oversee Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states.
According to her, 3 Division Jos will be responsible for Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states.
Army spokesperson said the newly established 5 Division Makurdi would cover Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states.
She added that 6 Division Port Harcourt would oversee Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
Anele said 7 Division Maiduguri would retain responsibility for Borno and Yobe, while 8 Division Sokoto would continue to cover Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
She said the newly established 9 Division Ilorin would oversee Kwara and Niger states.
According to her, the newly established 10 Division Jalingo will be responsible for Taraba and Adamawa states.
Anele said 81 Division Lagos would continue to cover Lagos and Ogun, while 82 Division Enugu would retain responsibility for Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states.
She added that the newly established 83 Division Benin City would cover Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states when activated later in the year.
Anele said Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya had been redeployed to Headquarters 9 Division, Ilorin, as General Officer Commanding and Commander, Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD.
She said Maj.-Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife had been posted to Headquarters 10 Division, Jalingo, as General Officer Commanding.
According to her, Maj.-Gen. Moses Gara has been redeployed to Headquarters 5 Division, Makurdi, as General Officer Commanding and Commander, Operation WHIRL STROKE.
She added that Maj.-Gen. Auwalu Mahmuda had 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 will command 11 Brigade, Gboko.
She said Brig.-Gen. A.M. Haruna had been appointed Commander, 29 Brigade, Kainji, while Brig.-Gen. R.M. Aminu would head 10 Brigade, Lafia.
The COAS congratulated the newly appointed commanders and urged them to provide visionary leadership, sustain operational momentum and uphold professionalism and discipline.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting lives and property and supporting efforts toward enduring peace and national security.
Shaibu also appreciated President Tinubu for supporting the expansion of the Army’s operational capabilities.
He described the establishment of the additional divisions as a historic milestone in the transformation of the Nigerian Army and the country’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 nationwide. (NAN)
