The Nigerian Army has begun the operational rollout of its expanded 12-Division force structure with the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) to newly established formations.
The move marks a significant step towards strengthening the Army’s operational capacity and enhancing its response to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
A statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, disclosed that the appointments followed the approval of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, after President and Commander-in-Chief, Bola Tinubu, authorised the establishment of four additional Army divisions.
The phased activation, she explained, will “see the new formations commence operations upon attaining Initial Operational Capability before progressing to Full Operational Capability to ensure seamless force projection and operational continuity nationwide.”
The reorganisation significantly reshapes the Army’s Areas of Responsibility, while existing formations retain or adjust their operational jurisdictions, the newly created 5 Division, Makurdi, assumes responsibility for Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states; 9 Division, Ilorin, oversees Kwara and Niger states; 10 Division, Jalingo, covers the border areas of Taraba and Adamawa states; while 83 Division, Benin City, will supervise Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states upon activation later this year.
To lead the new formations, the Army Chief approved the appointment of experienced senior officers, Major General Moses Gara takes command of 5 Division, Makurdi, while retaining responsibility as Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE.
Major General Yakubu Yahaya assumes command of 9 Division, Ilorin, alongside Operation SAVANNA SHIELD, while Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife becomes the pioneer General Officer Commanding of 10 Division, Jalingo. Major General Auwalu Mahmuda was also redeployed to command 2 Division, Ibadan.
As part of the restructuring, the Nigerian Army activated three additional brigades to reinforce operational effectiveness. Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi takes command of the newly established 11 Brigade, Gboko; Brigadier General A.M. Haruna assumes command of 29 Brigade, Kainji; while Brigadier General R.M. Aminu has been appointed Commander of 10 Brigade, Lafia.
Lieutenant General Shaibu urged the newly appointed commanders “to provide visionary leadership, sustain operational momentum, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and mission effectiveness.”
He emphasised that the expanded force structure will improve command and control, accelerate troop deployment, strengthen border security, and enhance the Army’s capacity to respond decisively to emerging threats across the country.
The Army Chief also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for supporting what he described as a historic expansion of the Nigerian Army’s operational architecture.
He noted that the additional divisions would reinforce joint operations, improve multi-agency coordination, and strengthen Nigeria’s long-term security framework.
