The Nigerian Army has started preparations to operationalise four newly created divisions as part of a major restructuring aimed at increasing its operational capacity and strengthening efforts against insecurity across the country.
President Bola Tinubu approved the expansion of the Army from eight to 12 divisions, with new headquarters to be established in Benue, Kwara and Taraba states, while another formation is planned for Edo State.
The restructuring is intended to decentralise command and control, improve response times and enable troops to react more effectively to security threats in different regions. The expansion is also expected to be supported by the planned recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, as well as improved logistics, equipment and welfare for troops.
The new formations are being created amid persistent challenges such as banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes and terrorism, especially in the North-Central and North-East.
Kwara deployment
In Kwara State, the Army has begun deploying a new battalion to Omu-Aran, headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area, while preparations are also underway for another battalion in the Patigi axis.
Sources indicated that the Omu-Aran battalion consists of about 500 personnel, including senior officers. The exact operational location has not been officially disclosed, although the Army had earlier inspected possible temporary and permanent sites.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said the deployment would strengthen security operations in the state. In a post on his official Facebook page on Wednesday, he said he received the troops alongside the General Officer Commanding 9 Division/Joint Task Force Operation Savannah Shield, Maj. Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, and the Commander of 22 Armoured Brigade, Brig. Gen. Nicholas Rume.
AbdulRazaq thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, for the swift deployment and also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for approving additional military deployments and improved welfare packages for soldiers.
Traditional rulers and community leaders in Omu-Aran welcomed the deployment. The Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba AbdulRaheem Adeoti, pledged the community’s support, while the chairman of Irepodun LGA, Abdulazeez Yakub, assured the battalion of cooperation.
Brig. Gen. Rume said the deployment was part of the Federal Government’s directive to expand the Army’s operational capacity and improve security coverage in Kwara South.
Benue expansion
In Benue State, the new 5 Division, expected to be headquartered in Makurdi, is aimed at strengthening operations against communal clashes and armed groups affecting Benue and neighbouring Nasarawa and Kogi states.
An Army implementation committee led by Maj. Gen. Raymond Utsaha, accompanied by the pioneer GOC of the division, Maj. Gen. M.K. Gara, is currently assessing locations for the new formations.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, said the committee had briefed him on the Federal Government’s decision and was visiting proposed sites across the state.
Areas reportedly being considered include Guma, Ukum, Kwande, Otukpo and Agatu, while Makurdi is expected to host the division headquarters.
The chairman of Otukpo LGA, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed that the committee visited the council and announced plans for a new Brigade Command in Otukpo. He said the Army already possesses 224 hectares of land at the Entina axis for the proposed brigade.
The chairman of Agatu LGA, Melvin Ejeh, also confirmed the committee’s visit and expressed optimism that the new military formations would help curb the activities of armed groups in Benue South (Zone C).
Taraba division takes shape
In Taraba State, preparations are underway for the operational take-off of the newly established 10 Division. Construction of its permanent barracks is ongoing at Yali, near Jalingo.
Governor Agbu Kefas inspected the site on Wednesday and commended President Tinubu for approving the division, describing it as a major boost to security in Taraba and the wider North-East.
Kefas said the state government would continue supporting the project and explained that the division would initially operate from a temporary base pending the completion of the permanent barracks.
The 10 Division is expected to strengthen counter-insurgency and border security operations in Taraba and neighbouring Adamawa State and improve the Army’s ability to respond to threats across the North-East.
The development is also expected to lead to the gradual relocation of the 6 Brigade, currently based in Jalingo. Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Chukwuemeka Akaliro said the relocation would be carried out in phases.
The Army believes the restructuring will bring command structures closer to areas facing security threats, improve intelligence gathering and shorten emergency response times, while providing additional manpower, equipment and logistical support for operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
