The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has appointed General Officers Commanding (GOCs) for the newly established Army divisions.

The appointments followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of the new formations to strengthen the Nigerian Army’s operational capacity across the country.

Tinubu had approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to 12 divisions, alongside the recruitment of 28,000 new personnel.

The new divisions are: 5 Division Headquarters, Makurdi, to oversee Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states; 9 Division Headquarters, Ilorin, to oversee Kwara and Niger states; 10 Division Headquarters, Jalingo, to oversee Taraba and Adamawa states; and 83 Division Headquarters, Benin City, to oversee Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.

The appointments were announced in a statement on Wednesday by the Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele.

The appointments mark the commencement of operations by the new divisions as part of a major reorganisation aimed at expanding the Army’s operational footprint, improving command and control, and enhancing its ability to respond to evolving security threats nationwide.

Under the new deployment, Major General Yakubu Yahaya has been redeployed from Headquarters Joint Task Force (North Central), Operation SAVANNA SHIELD (OPSS), to Headquarters 9 Division, Ilorin, where he will serve as General Officer Commanding and Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD.

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

Similarly, Major General Moses Gara has been redeployed from Headquarters Joint Task Force, Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), to Headquarters 5 Division, Makurdi, where he assumes the dual appointment of General Officer Commanding and Commander of Operation WHIRL STROKE.

Also, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda has been redeployed from the Army Headquarters Directorate of Inspection and Compliance to Headquarters 2 Division, Ibadan, as the General Officer Commanding.

To reinforce the new command structure, the Army also activated three new brigades.

Brigadier General A.O. Odubiyi, formerly of the Army Headquarters Operations Centre, has been appointed Commander, 11 Brigade, Gboko. Brigadier General A.M. Haruna has been redeployed from the Nigerian Army Armour School to command 29 Brigade, Kainji, while Brigadier General R.M. Aminu has been redeployed from the National Defence College as Commander, 10 Brigade, Lafia.

Anele said the newly established divisions would commence operations immediately upon attaining Initial Operational Capability (IOC), while measures were already in place to progressively achieve Full Operational Capability (FOC).

She explained that the phased operationalisation would ensure a seamless transition, operational continuity and rapid force projection across the country.

The Army spokesperson also announced a comprehensive reorganisation of the Army’s divisional Areas of Responsibility to align with the expanded force structure.

Under the new arrangement, 1 Division, Kaduna, will oversee Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, while 2 Division, Ibadan, will be responsible for Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states. The 3 Division, Jos, will cover Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states.

The newly established 5 Division, headquartered in Makurdi, will assume responsibility for Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states, while 6 Division, Port Harcourt, will oversee Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. The 7 Division, Maiduguri, will continue to cover Borno and Yobe states, while 8 Division, Sokoto, will retain responsibility for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.

According to the statement, the newly established 9 Division, headquartered in Ilorin, will oversee Kwara and Niger states, while the new 10 Division, based in Jalingo, will be responsible for the border areas of Taraba and Adamawa states.

The 81 Division, Lagos, will continue to oversee Lagos and Ogun states, while 82 Division, Enugu, will retain responsibility for Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states. The newly established 83 Division, headquartered in Benin City, will cover Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states when it becomes operational later this year.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for governorship in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has appointed grassroots politician and legal practitioner Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe as Director-General of his campaign council. Government

In a statement on Tuesday, Alli said Aderibigbe’s appointment was informed by his sterling reputation as a selfless political leader with a long-standing record of people-centred leadership and grassroots mobilisation.

He described Aderibigbe as a politician who has remained firmly connected to the grassroots since serving as Chairman of Akinyele Local Government Area, noting that his commitment to the welfare of ordinary people has remained unwavering.

Alli, who currently represents Oyo South Senatorial District in the Senate, urged the new campaign Director-General to deploy his vast experience, proven leadership credentials and deep understanding of Oyo State politics to coordinate the party’s campaign activities.

He said, “Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe is one of the pillars of progressive politics in our dear state. He has made immense contributions to the political, social and economic development of Oyo State.

“He is a loyal party leader and bridge-builder whose unwavering commitment to party development and the mentoring of younger politicians remains exemplary.

“We have chosen him to lead, organise and mobilise members of our great party and the people of the state to work for the success of the APC at the polls.

“As an experienced administrator with an impeccable record of public service and a committed progressive, I am confident Aderibigbe’s leadership qualities will strengthen our party’s campaign.

“As a team player, I have no doubt that he will excel in this assignment by effectively coordinating the campaign council alongside other distinguished leaders and members of our great party.”

The Sokoto State Hisbah Board has announced a ban on a number of practices associated with weddings and other social gatherings, saying they are contrary to Islamic teachings and societal morals.

The ban, which takes immediate effect, covers the practice popularly known as “Na Gani In So”, a marriage introduction custom in which a suitor presents assorted gift items such as cartons of soft drinks, bottled water, biscuits, sweets and kola nuts to the prospective bride’s family as well as DJ and Wazigidi music at ceremonies.

The board also prohibited the mounting of loudspeakers and excessive sound systems on tricycles (Keke Napep), women sitting beside tricycle riders, mixed-gender gatherings for entertainment, what it described as indecent hairstyles for children and youths, excessive spending on bridal gifts (lefe), and other practices it considers contrary to the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Addressing journalists at the board’s headquarters in Sokoto on Monday, the Commander of the Sokoto State Hisbah Board, Malam Usman Abdullahi Jatau, said the measures were introduced to promote morality and preserve the state’s religious and cultural values.

“We declare that these innovations (bid’ah), which are contrary to the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), have negative consequences for any marriage conducted in such a manner because it departs from the teachings of the Prophet,” he said.

Jatau called on parents, intending couples and members of both families to fear Allah and avoid practices prohibited by the board.

“We call on the families of both the bride and groom, as well as parents, to fear Allah and desist from these practices,” he said.

He warned that the board would strictly enforce the directives.

“The board will carry out its responsibilities whenever these prohibited practices are taking place, especially when we are called upon to intervene,” he said.

The Hisbah commander also urged community leaders across the state to play a greater role in promoting moral values.

“We want community leaders in every ward and locality to discharge the responsibility entrusted to them by ensuring proper moral upbringing of the people under their leadership,” he said.

Describing the announcement as a final warning, Jatau urged event organisers, DJs and others involved in the banned practices to stop immediately.

“This is our final warning to everyone, especially those engaged in these activities and those who patronise them. They should fear Allah and stop before sanctions are taken against them,” he said.

He further appealed to parents and intending couples to simplify marriage arrangements, particularly bridal gifts.

“We call on parents and intending couples to simplify bridal gifts, avoid unnecessary showmanship and conduct marriages according to the Sunnah so that husbands, wives and their families can be spared debt, hardship, theft and other unlawful acts committed in the course of organising weddings,” Jatau added.