The Nigerian Army has appointed General Officers Commanding (GOCs) for four newly established divisions and redeployed several brigadier generals following President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a major expansion of the army’s operational structure.
The appointments were approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, and announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele.
According to the Presidency, the restructuring is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture and improving the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.
Under the new arrangement, the army will now operate 12 divisions across the country. These include Divisions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, the newly created Division 9 in Ilorin, Division 10 in Jalingo, and Divisions 81, 82 and 83 located in Lagos, Enugu and Benin City, respectively.
The Army said the newly established divisions would begin operations immediately after attaining their Initial Operational Capability, while efforts are ongoing to ensure they achieve full operational readiness.
Among the new appointments, Major General Yakubu Yahaya has been posted to Headquarters 9 Division, Ilorin, where he will also serve as Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD.
Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife has been redeployed to Headquarters 10 Division, Jalingo, while Major General Moses Gara has also been posted to 9 Division, Ilorin, with additional responsibility as Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD.
The Army also redeployed Major General Auwalu Mahmuda from the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance to Headquarters 2 Division, Ibadan.
As part of the restructuring, three new brigades have also been activated to strengthen military operations.
Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi will command the newly established 11 Brigade in Gboko, Brigadier General A.M. Haruna has been appointed Commander of the 29 Brigade in Kainji, while Brigadier General R.M. Aminu will head the newly created 10 Brigade in Lafia.
The Nigerian Army said the restructuring is expected to improve command and control, expand operational coverage and enhance rapid military response to security challenges across the country.
The creation of the new divisions and brigades is also expected to strengthen ongoing operations against insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats in different parts of Nigeria.
Source: Statement by the Nigerian Army.
