Tinubu Activates New Army Formations in Four States, Strengthens Security Response

By Reporter

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the operationalisation of new Nigerian Army formations in Zamfara, Kebbi, Oyo and Osun states as part of renewed efforts to strengthen national security and bring military operations closer to communities facing security threats.

Tinubu disclosed this on Sunday, saying the new formations would position troops closer to vulnerable communities and enhance the Army’s ability to respond quickly whenever Nigerians come under threat.

“This week, the Nigerian Army operationalised new formations in Zamfara, Kebbi, Oyo and Osun. Our troops are now closer to vulnerable communities in these areas, strengthening our ability to respond swiftly and decisively when our people are threatened,” the President said.

The development is part of the Federal Government’s wider restructuring of the Nigerian Army aimed at improving operational coordination, strengthening military presence and reducing response time to security emergencies.

However, the latest formations should not be confused with the new Army divisions announced earlier in the year.

While Tinubu described the units in Zamfara, Kebbi, Oyo and Osun as “formations,” he did not identify them as divisions. In military terminology, “formation” is a broader term that can refer to different levels of organised military commands, while a division is a specific level within the Army’s command structure.

Earlier, the President approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s divisional structure, including the establishment of new divisional headquarters in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City.

The new formations announced this week are therefore part of the wider effort to increase the Army’s operational reach and should be viewed separately from the divisional expansion.

The move is particularly significant in Zamfara and Kebbi, where communities have continued to face threats from banditry, kidnapping and other forms of violent crime. Increased military presence is expected to enable security forces to operate closer to affected communities and respond more rapidly to attacks.

The new formations in Oyo and Osun are also expected to strengthen the Army’s capacity to respond to security challenges in the South-West.

Tinubu also disclosed that the Federal Government was accelerating the construction of new military barracks and depots in Abuja, Ekiti, Ebonyi and Kogi states, while the military facility in Osun State has already been completed.

He said the projects were designed not only to expand military infrastructure but also to improve the welfare and living conditions of personnel and their families.

“We are also fast-tracking the construction of new barracks and depots in Abuja, Ekiti, Ebonyi and Kogi, with Osun already completed. As we demand more from our men and women in uniform, we must do more to support them and their families,” he said.

The President linked the infrastructure projects to the sacrifices of military personnel deployed across the country, stressing that adequate facilities and welfare support were necessary for them to perform their duties effectively.

Tinubu also highlighted the recent increase in the salaries of military personnel, saying the adjustment was already having a positive impact on servicemen, women and their families.

“Over the past few days, servicemen and women of the Armed Forces have shared what the recent pay increase means for them and their families. I am glad it is making a difference,” he said.

The President noted that military deployment affects entire families, particularly when personnel are stationed in difficult and dangerous locations for extended periods.

“Every deployment is a sacrifice made by a family too. As our Armed Forces stand watch over Nigeria, my duty as Commander-in-Chief is to ensure they have the resources and support to do their job, and that Nigeria stands firmly behind the families waiting for them at home,” he added.

The latest measures complement the Federal Government’s broader programme to strengthen military manpower, equipment, infrastructure and operational capacity.

Under the earlier divisional restructuring, the 5 Division is headquartered in Makurdi, the 9 Division in Ilorin and the 10 Division in Jalingo.

The Army is also expected to establish the 83 Division in Benin City, with responsibility for Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.

The government’s broader objective is to decentralise military command, improve coordination between formations and their areas of responsibility, and ensure that troops can respond more effectively to security threats.

The operationalisation of the new formations in Zamfara, Kebbi, Oyo and Osun therefore represents another layer in the ongoing reorganisation of the Nigerian Army, rather than an announcement of four additional Army divisions.