The appointments form part of the Nigerian Army's ongoing reorganisation aimed at expanding its operational footprint, improving command and control, and enhancing its capacity to respond more effectively to evolving security challenges across the country.
According to the Army, the newly created divisions will commence operations upon attaining Initial Operational Capability, while efforts will continue to ensure they achieve Full Operational Capability in phases.
The phased implementation is expected to guarantee seamless operationalisation, sustain military operations and improve force projection across the country as troops undergo advanced combat training.
As part of the restructuring, the Army has reviewed the areas of responsibility of its divisions to reflect the new security realities and ensure contiguous coverage of underserved operational areas.
Under the new arrangement, 1 Division in Kaduna will oversee Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States, while 2 Division in Ibadan will cover Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States. The 3 Division in Jos will be responsible for Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States.
The newly established 5 Division, headquartered in Makurdi, will supervise operations in Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States, while 6 Division in Port Harcourt will retain responsibility for Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.
Similarly, 7 Division in Maiduguri will cover Borno and Yobe States, while 8 Division in Sokoto will continue to oversee Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States.
Findings by DailyVista247 indicates that the four newcomers — 5 Division Makurdi, 9 Division Ilorin, 10 Division Jalingo and 83 Division Benin City — effectively split the old Middle Belt and Niger Delta commands to improve rapid response to emerging threats.
The newly created 9 Division, with headquarters in Ilorin, will be responsible for Kwara and Niger States, while 10 Division in Jalingo will oversee security operations in Taraba and Adamawa States.
The 81 Division in Lagos will continue to cover Lagos and Ogun States, while 82 Division in Enugu will retain responsibility for Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States. The 83 Division, headquartered in Benin City, will assume responsibility for Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States upon its activation later this year.
To lead the new formations, the COAS approved the deployment of senior officers with extensive operational experience in counter-terrorism and joint operations.
Major General Yakubu Yahaya has been redeployed from the Headquarters Joint Task Force North Central, Operation SAVANNA SHIELD, to serve as General Officer Commanding 9 Division, Ilorin, and Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD.
Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife has been moved from Headquarters 2 Division and Sector 3, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, to assume duty as General Officer Commanding of the newly established 10 Division, Jalingo.
Also, Major General Moses Gara has been redeployed from Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE to head the newly established 5 Division, Makurdi, where he will serve in the dual capacity of General Officer Commanding and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE.
The Army said the appointments are expected to strengthen operational leadership across the newly created formations and support efforts to improve security, decentralise command and respond more rapidly to emerging threats nationwide, with a 28,000 personnel recruitment drive already launched.
