Army Appoints GOCs for Four New Divisions, Redeploys Brigadier Generals

Army names commanders for new divisions and brigades following approval of expansion to strengthen national security operations nationwide.

The Nigerian Army has appointed General Officers Commanding (GOCs) for its newly established divisions following President Bola Tinubu’s approval to expand the force from eight to 12 divisions.

The appointments, approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, were announced on Wednesday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele.

According to the statement, the newly created divisions will commence operations immediately upon attaining their Initial Operational Capability (IOC), while measures are already in place to ensure they gradually achieve Full Operational Capability (FOC).

The appointments followed President Tinubu’s recent approval for the expansion of the Nigerian Army and the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to strengthen the country’s security architecture.

Under the new structure, the army now operates 12 divisions across the country, with new headquarters established in Ilorin, Jalingo and other strategic locations to improve operational efficiency.

Major General Yakubu Yahaya has been appointed General Officer Commanding Headquarters 9 Division, Ilorin, while also serving as Commander of Operation Savannah Shield. Before the appointment, he headed the Joint Task Force (North Central), Operation Savannah Shield.

Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife was deployed to Headquarters 10 Division, Jalingo, from Headquarters 2 Division/Sector 3 of Operation Fansan Yamma.

Major General Moses Gara, formerly with Operation Whirl Stroke, also received a new deployment under the restructuring, while Major General Auwalu Mahmuda moved from the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance to Headquarters 2 Division, Ibadan.

To support the new command structure, the Nigerian Army also activated three additional brigades.

Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi was appointed Commander of Headquarters 11 Brigade, Gboko, after serving at the Army Headquarters Operations Centre.

Brigadier General A.M. Haruna was posted from the Nigerian Army Armour School to head Headquarters 29 Brigade, Kainji, while Brigadier General R.M. Aminu, formerly at the National Defence College, was appointed Commander of Headquarters 10 Brigade, Lafia.

The Nigerian Army said the restructuring is aimed at strengthening operational capacity and improving responses to security challenges across the country.