Following President Bola Tinubu’s authorization of four additional divisions to bolster national security, the Nigerian Army has named four new General Officers Commanding (GOCs). These postings were confirmed by Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu and announced by Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele.
The newly formed units include the 5 Division in Makurdi, 9 Division in Ilorin, 10 Division in Jalingo, and the 83 Division in Benin City, the latter of which is slated to begin operations later this year. Leadership appointments include Major General Yakubu Yahaya for the 9 Division, Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife for the 10 Division, Major General Moses Gara for the 5 Division, and Major General Auwalu Mahmuda for the 2 Division in Ibadan.
These organizational changes are designed to improve command, control, and response capabilities against shifting security threats. The Army has redistributed regional responsibilities across eleven divisions, with each assigned specific states to oversee. Furthermore, the military has activated three new brigades: the 11 Brigade in Gboko led by Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi, the 29 Brigade in Kainji headed by Brigadier General A.M. Haruna, and the 10 Brigade in Lafia under Brigadier General R.M. Aminu.
