The Nigerian Army on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, named commanders for three newly created divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin and Jalingo as part of an expansion approved by Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu.
Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu approved Major General Moses Gara as General Officer Commanding (GOC) 5 Division in Makurdi and Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke.
Major General Yakubu Yahaya was appointed GOC 9 Division in Ilorin and Commander of Operation Savannah Shield, while Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife will lead 10 Division in Jalingo.
Okay News reports that Major General Auwalu Mahmuda was separately appointed GOC 2 Division in Ibadan, an existing formation.
The Army also announced three brigade commanders. Brigadier General AO Odubiyi will lead 11 Brigade in Gboko, Brigadier General AM Haruna will lead 29 Brigade in Kainji, and Brigadier General RM Aminu will lead 10 Brigade in Lafia.
“The newly established Divisions will immediately commence operations, in the respective locations, on attainment of Initial Operational Capability (IOC) while deliberate measures are being implemented to progressively attain Full Operational Capability (FOC),” the Army said.
Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Army’s acting director of public relations, said 83 Division in Benin City would be activated later in 2026. The formation will cover Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states in southern Nigeria.
Tinubu approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions on July 23, alongside the recruitment of 28,000 soldiers. The first phase is expected to be in place by September, while 83 Division is due to begin operations by December.
