Post by The Insight Desk with Ismail Auwal (@theinsights)

Nigeria’s Army Gets New Divisions: Meet the Generals in Charge

The Nigerian Army has appointed senior officers to lead newly created and reorganised military divisions across the country. The appointments followed President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the establishment of four additional Army divisions. The Army says the expansion will help it respond faster to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats.

For anyone unfamiliar with military language, a General Officer Commanding, commonly called a GOC, is the senior officer responsible for an Army division. The GOC coordinates troops, operations and security responsibilities within the states assigned to that division. This means the officers appointed will play major roles in how the Army responds to security problems in different parts of Nigeria.

Major General Yakubu Yahaya — 9 Division, Ilorin

Major General Yakubu Yahaya has been appointed GOC of the newly established 9 Division, with its headquarters in Ilorin, Kwara State. The division will be responsible for Kwara and Niger states. He will also serve as Commander of Operation Savannah Shield, a security operation covering parts of North-Central Nigeria.

Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife — 10 Division, Jalingo

Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife will lead the newly established 10 Division, headquartered in Jalingo, Taraba State. The division will focus on security in the border areas of Taraba and Adamawa states. His appointment is significant because the region shares international borders and has faced different security challenges over the years.

Major General Moses Gara — 5 Division, Makurdi

Major General Moses Gara has been appointed GOC of the new 5 Division, with its headquarters in Makurdi, Benue State. The division will oversee Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states. He will also continue as Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, the joint security operation responding to violence and insecurity in parts of the North-Central region.

Major General Auwalu Mahmuda — 2 Division, Ibadan

Major General Auwalu Mahmuda has been appointed GOC of the 2 Division in Ibadan, Oyo State. The division will be responsible for Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states. He was transferred from the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance to take over the new responsibility.

The Army also created three new brigades to support the expanded divisions. Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi will command the 11 Brigade in Gboko, Brigadier General A.M. Haruna will command the 29 Brigade in Kainji, while Brigadier General R.M. Aminu will lead the 10 Brigade in Lafia. These brigades will operate as smaller formations under the wider divisional structure.

Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu asked the commanders to demonstrate professionalism, discipline and effective leadership. According to the Army, the new structure is expected to improve coordination, strengthen border security and allow troops and resources to be deployed more quickly. The divisions will begin operations in phases as they develop from initial to full operational capacity.

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