COAS Approves Appointment of GOCs as Nigerian Army Establishes Four New Divisions — Army

By Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Army has announced a major expansion of its force structure with the establishment of four additional divisions and the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) to lead the new formations, a move aimed at strengthening command and control, improving operational effectiveness and enhancing the military’s response to evolving security threats across the country.

The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, saying the appointments were approved by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, following the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for the creation of the new divisions.

According to Anele, the newly established divisions will commence operations upon attaining Initial Operational Capability (IOC), while deliberate measures are being implemented to progressively achieve Full Operational Capability (FOC) to ensure seamless operationalisation and sustained force projection nationwide.

She said the development forms part of ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Army to strengthen its force structure, expand its operational footprint and improve its capacity to respond effectively to Nigeria’s dynamic security environment.

Anele said the Army had also undertaken a comprehensive reorganisation of its divisional Areas of Responsibility (AORs).

Under the new arrangement, she said 1 Division Kaduna would be responsible for Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, while 2 Division Ibadan would oversee Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states.

She added that 3 Division Jos would cover Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states, while the newly established 5 Division Makurdi would assume responsibility for Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states.

According to her, 6 Division Port Harcourt will continue to oversee Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, while 7 Division Maiduguri will remain responsible for Borno and Yobe states.

She further stated that 8 Division Sokoto would retain responsibility for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, while the newly established 9 Division Ilorin would cover Kwara and Niger states.

Anele said the newly created 10 Division Jalingo would oversee security operations in the border areas of Taraba and Adamawa states, while 81 Division Lagos would continue to cover Lagos and Ogun states.

She added that 82 Division Enugu would retain responsibility for Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states, while the newly established 83 Division Benin, which will be activated later in the year, would oversee Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.

To provide leadership for the new formations, Anele said the COAS approved the appointment of seasoned senior officers as General Officers Commanding.

She said Major General Yakubu Yahaya had been redeployed from Headquarters Joint Task Force (North Central), Operation SAVANNA SHIELD, to Headquarters 9 Division Ilorin as General Officer Commanding and Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD.

She added that Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife had been redeployed from Headquarters 2 Division/Sector 3, Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, to Headquarters 10 Division Jalingo as General Officer Commanding.

According to her, Major General Moses Gara had been redeployed from Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE to Headquarters 5 Division Makurdi, where he would serve as General Officer Commanding and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE.

She also disclosed that Major General Auwalu Mahmuda had been redeployed from the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance to Headquarters 2 Division Ibadan as General Officer Commanding.

Anele further announced the activation of three new brigades to reinforce the expanded force structure.

She said Brig.-Gen. A.O. Odubiyi had been appointed Commander of the newly established 11 Brigade, Gboko, while Brig.-Gen. A.M. Haruna would command the newly activated 29 Brigade, Kainji.

She added that Brig.-Gen. R.M. Aminu had been appointed Commander of 10 Brigade, Lafia.

Quoting the Chief of Army Staff, Anele said Lt.-Gen. Shaibu congratulated the newly appointed commanders and charged them to provide visionary leadership, sustain operational momentum and uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and mission effectiveness.

She said the Army Chief reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, protecting the lives and property of law-abiding citizens and supporting the restoration of enduring peace and security across the nation.

Anele also quoted the COAS as expressing profound appreciation to President Tinubu for his steadfast support and strategic investment in expanding the Nigerian Army’s operational capabilities.

“The establishment of the additional Divisions represents a historic milestone in the transformation of the Nigerian Army and reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening national defence architecture,” Anele quoted the Army Chief as saying.

She added that the COAS expressed confidence that the expanded force structure would significantly enhance command and control, improve operational coordination, strengthen border security, facilitate faster deployment of troops and resources, and increase the Army’s capacity to respond decisively to emerging and evolving security threats across the country.

According to Anele, the expanded structure is also expected to bolster joint and multi-agency operations, reinforce national stability and contribute substantially to the restoration of lasting peace and security nationwide.

COAS Approves Appointment of GOCs as Nigerian Army Establishes Four New Divisions — Army

Troops Arrest Two Suspected ISWAP Collaborators in Borno

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation HADIN KAI have arrested two suspected Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) collaborators during a targeted intelligence-led operation in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was conducted at about 5:08 a.m. on July 28 by troops of the 109 Special Forces Battalion in conjunction with Hybrid Forces, following credible intelligence obtained from the Hybrid Forces Headquarters in Maiduguri.

The sources said the operation led to the arrest of two suspects identified as Modu Collu, 20, and Bashir Goni Tijani, 47, both residents of Magumeri town.

According to the sources, preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspects confessed to collaborating with Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists operating in the area.

During the operation, troops recovered one Tecno mobile phone belonging to Modu Collu, which has been taken into custody for further exploitation.

Military sources said the suspects and the recovered exhibit are currently being processed and will be handed over to the Joint Intelligence Fusion Centre (JIFC) for further investigation and necessary action.

The arrests form part of ongoing intelligence-driven operations under Operation DESERT SANITY V, aimed at dismantling terrorist support networks, disrupting logistics and denying insurgents local collaborators across the North-East.

Military authorities said the general security situation within the theatre remains relatively calm but unpredictable, while troops have continued to maintain a high level of morale and operational readiness.

Troops Arrest Two Suspected ISWAP Collaborators in Borno

Troops Rescue Federal Polytechnic Rector, Foil Multiple Kidnap Attempts in Zamfara

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Dr. Aminu Yusuf, and thwarted multiple kidnap attempts during coordinated operations in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Military sources told Zagazola Makama that the operations were launched following credible intelligence and a series of distress calls indicating coordinated attacks by armed terrorists on communities within the area.

According to the sources, troops intercepted a large group of terrorists riding motorcycles as they advanced toward Tsohon-Tasha Street in Kaura Namoda after attacking the residence of the rector.

The terrorists reportedly broke into the residence, killed the rector’s private security guard, Malam Isah Bello, 46, and injured another guard, Sharhabilu Haruna, 35, before attempting to abduct Dr. Yusuf, his wife and their two children.

The sources said troops responded swiftly, engaged the attackers with superior firepower and forced them to flee, abandoning the victims. The rector and his family were rescued unharmed.

In a related operation, troops on patrol responded to another distress call from Tungan Dorawa community in Barkeji village, where armed kidnappers were attempting to abduct residents.

Despite difficult terrain that initially slowed their movement, the troops pursued the fleeing suspects, engaged them and successfully foiled the kidnap attempt.

Simultaneously, the troops confronted another group of kidnappers operating within the same community and rescued a 56-year-old businessman, Alhaji Azaria, along with 21 other civilians who had been abducted from neighbouring houses.

All the rescued victims were reported to be safe and are receiving the necessary support.

During the operation at Tsohon-Tasha Street, troops also arrested a suspected informant, Falalu Yusuf, 45, who is believed to have collaborated with the terrorists by providing intelligence on the victims.

The suspect has been handed over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Kaura Namoda for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Military authorities commended the troops for their vigilance, courage and professionalism, reaffirming their commitment to sustaining offensive operations against terrorists and bandits across Zamfara State.

They also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to enhance ongoing counter-banditry operations.

Troops Rescue Federal Polytechnic Rector, Foil Multiple Kidnap Attempts in Zamfara