The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has appointed General Officers Commanding (GOCs) to head the Nigerian Army’s newly created divisions following the Federal Government’s approval for the expansion of the military’s command structure.
The appointments come after President Bola Tinubu approved the establishment of four additional Army divisions to strengthen operational effectiveness, improve command and control, and enhance the military’s capacity to tackle evolving security threats across the country.
In a statement shared on the Nigerian Army’s official X handle on Wednesday, the Army said the new divisions would begin operations once they attain Initial Operational Capability (IOC), with plans already in place to achieve Full Operational Capability (FOC) in phases.
According to the statement, the expansion is part of a broader strategy to increase the Army’s operational presence, improve force projection, and ensure a more coordinated response to security challenges nationwide.
The military explained that the phased activation of the formations would guarantee operational continuity while allowing the new commands to become fully functional without disrupting existing operations.
Under the revised command structure, the 1 Division Kaduna will oversee military operations in Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, while the 2 Division Ibadan will be responsible for Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states.
The 3 Division Jos will supervise Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states, while the newly established 5 Division Makurdi will cover Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states.
The 6 Division Port Harcourt will retain responsibility for Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, while the 7 Division Maiduguri will continue operations in Borno and Yobe states. Similarly, the 8 Division Sokoto will maintain oversight of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
The newly created 9 Division, headquartered in Ilorin, will oversee Kwara and Niger states, while the 10 Division Jalingo will be responsible for border areas in Taraba and Adamawa states.
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The 81 Division Lagos will continue to cover Lagos and Ogun states, while the 82 Division Enugu will remain in charge of Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states.
The 83 Division Benin City is expected to assume responsibility for Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states once it becomes operational later this year.
To lead the new formations, the Army approved the deployment of senior officers with extensive operational experience.
Major General Yakubu Yahaya has been appointed General Officer Commanding 9 Division Ilorin and Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD after his redeployment from the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North Central).
Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife will head the 10 Division Jalingo following his transfer from Headquarters 2 Division/Sector 3 Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA.
Major General Moses Gara has also been named General Officer Commanding 5 Division Makurdi and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE after his redeployment from the task force headquarters.
The Army said the restructuring is intended to improve operational efficiency, strengthen rapid response capabilities, and build a more agile force to address Nigeria’s growing security demands.
It added that the newly established divisions would commence operations immediately upon attaining IOC, while efforts continue to ensure they reach full operational capacity.