The Nigerian Army has announced major leadership appointments following presidential approval for the expansion of its operational force structure.
The initiative involves establishing four new divisions aimed at enhancing command and control, strengthening border security, and improving troop deployment capabilities nationwide.
Under the approvals issued by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Maj. Gen. Yakubu Yahaya has been appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 9 Division in Ilorin and Commander of Operation Savannah Shield. Maj. Gen. Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife will lead 10 Division in Jalingo, while Maj. Gen. Moses Gara heads 5 Division in Makurdi as well as Operation Whirl Stroke. Additionally, Maj. Gen. Auwalu Mahmuda has been redeployed as GOC of 2 Division in Ibadan.
To support the newly created formations, three new brigades have also been activated, with Brig. Gen. A.O. Odubiyi commanding 11 Brigade in Gboko, Brig. Gen. A.M. Haruna heading 29 Brigade in Kainji, and Brig. Gen. R.M. Aminu taking charge of 10 Brigade in Lafia.
According to Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, the newly created divisions will commence operations upon attaining initial operational capability while measures are implemented to reach full capability.
The structural reorganization includes a comprehensive realignment of divisional responsibilities across the country. Under the new framework, 5 Division (Makurdi) will cover Benue, Nasarawa, and Kogi states; 9 Division (Ilorin) will oversee Kwara and Niger states; and 10 Division (Jalingo) will manage Taraba and Adamawa states. The 83 Division (Benin City) will handle Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa states when activated later in the year.
Existing formations have also seen their operational boundaries updated. 1 Division (Kaduna) will cover Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa; 2 Division (Ibadan) manages Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo; 3 Division (Jos) oversees Plateau, Bauchi, and Gombe; 6 Division (Port Harcourt) covers Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River; 7 Division (Maiduguri) retains Borno and Yobe; 8 Division (Sokoto) covers Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara; 81 Division (Lagos) oversees Lagos and Ogun; and 82 Division (Enugu) remains responsible for Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, and Imo states.
Army leadership stated that the force expansion marks a key milestone in modernizing defense operations, enhancing joint-agency coordination, and enabling swift responses to evolving security challenges across the nation.
