COAS Appoints GOCs for Newly Established Army Divisions

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) for four newly established Nigerian Army divisions following President Bola Tinubu's approval for the expansion of the Army's command structure. The appointments form part of efforts to strengthen operational effectiveness and improve the military's response to Nigeria's evolving security challenges.

According to the Nigerian Army, the newly created formations will enhance command and control, expand the Army's operational footprint and improve coordination across different regions of the country. The appointments are expected to support the phased activation of the new divisions, which will be located in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City.

The Army said the reorganisation is designed to improve the deployment of personnel and resources while strengthening the military's capacity to tackle insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats. It added that the restructuring aligns with broader efforts to modernise the Nigerian Army and enhance national security operations.

The appointments come shortly after President Tinubu approved the creation of four additional divisions and the recruitment of 28,000 personnel to increase the Army's strength. Military authorities said the expansion will be implemented in phases alongside investments in equipment, operational readiness and troop welfare.

The Nigerian Army expressed confidence that the new GOCs will provide effective leadership for the newly established formations, reinforcing ongoing efforts to improve security and protect lives and property across the country.