Army Moves to Operationalise Four New Divisions, Boosts Fight Against Insecurity

The Nigerian Army has commenced moves to operationalise four newly created divisions as part of a broad restructuring aimed at expanding its operational capacity and strengthening the fight against insecurity across the country.

The restructuring, approved by President Bola Tinubu, will increase the number of Army divisions from eight to 12, with new division headquarters to be established in Benue, Kwara and Taraba states, alongside another formation in Edo State. The move is expected to decentralise the Army’s command structure, improve response times and enhance troops’ ability to tackle security threats across different regions.

The expansion is also expected to be supported by the planned recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, alongside improved logistics, equipment and welfare packages for troops. The new formations are being established amid persistent banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes, terrorism and other violent threats, particularly in the North-Central and North-East.

In Kwara State, the Army has commenced the deployment of a new battalion to Omu-Aran, headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area, while preparations are underway for another battalion in the Patigi axis.

The battalion deployed to Omu-Aran is reported to comprise nearly 500 personnel, including senior officers. The Federal Government Girls College, Omu-Aran, is believed to be serving as its temporary location, although this could not be independently verified as of the time of filing the report.

The specific operational location has not been publicly disclosed by the military or the state government, although the Army had earlier inspected infrastructure and proposed sites for a temporary camp and permanent base.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who disclosed the development on his official Facebook page on Wednesday, said the deployment would strengthen security operations in the state.

AbdulRazaq said he received the troops alongside the General Officer Commanding 9 Division Nigerian Army and Joint Task Force Operation Savannah Shield, Major General Yakubu Yahaya, and the Commander, 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi, Ilorin, Brigadier General Nicholas Rume.

“It was pleasant to welcome the troops to Kwara State. I thank the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu, for the swift deployment.

“I am confident that this new deployment will boost our peace and security efforts in the state,” the governor said.

He added that preparations were underway for the deployment of another Army battalion to Patigi.

“Just as the battalion for Omu-Aran settles in, another team of the Nigerian Army is working tirelessly in Patigi to locate the new base for the battalion that will be deployed to that axis,” AbdulRazaq said.

The governor commended President Tinubu for approving the additional military deployments and improved welfare packages for soldiers, saying the measures would boost troops’ morale in the fight against insecurity.

The arrival of the Omu-Aran battalion was welcomed by traditional rulers, community leaders and residents of Irepodun Local Government Area.

The Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba AbdulRaheem Adeoti, assured the troops of the community’s support, while the Irepodun Local Government chairman, Abdulazeez Yakub, pledged the council’s cooperation.

The Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Brig Gen Rume, said the deployment was part of the Federal Government’s directive to expand the Army’s operational capacity across the country.

“The Chief of Army Staff, on his own part, to achieve his strategic vision, has deployed his battalion here to take care of security incidents in the whole of Kwara South,” Rume said.

In Benue State, the new 5 Division, with its headquarters expected to be located in Makurdi, is intended to strengthen military operations against long-standing security challenges, including communal clashes and armed groups affecting Benue and neighbouring Nasarawa and Kogi states.

An Army implementation committee is currently assessing locations for new formations in the state.

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, through his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, said he was awaiting the outcome of the committee’s assessment.

According to him, the committee, led by Major General Raymond Utsaha and accompanied by the pioneer General Officer Commanding 5 Division, Major General M.K. Gara, had briefed him on the Federal Government’s decision to establish new Army formations in the state.

The committee is expected to brief the governor after concluding consultations and assessments of proposed locations.

The report indicates that Guma, Ukum, Kwande, Otukpo and Agatu local government areas have been earmarked for military units, while Makurdi is expected to host the new division.

Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed that the implementation committee visited the council last Friday and announced plans to establish a new Brigade Command in the area.

Ogiri said the Army already had 224 hectares of land at the Entina axis of Otukpo for the proposed Brigade Command.

He added that the committee also visited Agatu, where a new battalion is expected to be established.

The Chairman of Agatu LGA, Melvin Ejeh, confirmed the visit and expressed optimism that the proposed military formations would strengthen security and curb the activities of armed groups and other violent elements in Benue South, also known as Zone C.

In Taraba State, arrangements are underway for the operational take-off of the newly established 10 Division, with construction of its permanent barracks ongoing at Yali, on the outskirts of Jalingo.

Governor Agbu Kefas inspected the proposed barracks on Wednesday and expressed satisfaction with the progress of work.

Kefas commended President Tinubu for approving the establishment of the division, describing it as a major boost to security in Taraba and the North-East. He said the state government would continue to provide the necessary support for the smooth take-off of the formation.

Although troops of the 10 Division are yet to arrive in the state, the governor said the formation would initially operate from a temporary base while construction of the permanent barracks is completed.

The division is expected to reinforce counter-insurgency and border security operations in Taraba and neighbouring Adamawa State, while improving the Army’s capacity to respond to security threats across the wider North-East.

The development is also expected to lead to the eventual relocation of the 6 Brigade, currently headquartered in Jalingo. The Brigade Commander, Brig Gen Chukwuemeka Akaliro, said the relocation would be carried out in phases.

The Army’s restructuring is expected to bring command structures closer to areas facing security challenges, improve intelligence gathering and shorten response times during emergencies.

It is also expected to provide the military with additional manpower, equipment and logistical support to tackle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the affected regions.