Army Expands Formations In 6 States To Boost Operations

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, says the Nigerian Army has established more formations and units in six states to improve responses to emerging security threats.

The new units and formations are situated in Anambra, Imo, Kogi, Adamawa, Plateau and Zamfara States.

He disclosed this at the Chief of Army Staff first bi-annual conference 2026 in Abuja, yesterday.

The COAS said Nigeria’s security environment remains volatile, dynamic and increasingly complex, shaped by a convergence of asymmetric threats and criminality across various regions.

He charged commanders to actively engage their troops, ensuring they remain motivated, well-prepared, and mission-ready.

“As leaders, we must embody decisiveness, resilience, empathy, and unwavering commitment, setting the example for others to follow,”.

“Accordingly, we have enhanced our operational posture through sustained deployments, reconfiguration of formations, and the establishment of new units and task forces in critical areas.

“A major enabler of our recent successes has been the increasing role of Nigerian Army aviation.  “Notably, for the first time in the North-East theatre, our aviation assets successfully supported troop insertion and extraction operations in difficult terrains, marking a significant operational milestone,”.

General Shaibu said the Army has made progress in force expansion through ongoing recruitment efforts, as well as in strengthening logistics, intelligence-driven operations, and rapid response capabilities.

“For instance, the 15 Brigade and its affiliated units in Anambra and Imo states, the 12 Battalion in Anyingba, the 226 Battalion in Ganye is in Adamawa State, the 247 Reconnaissance Battalion in Mubi, Army Headquarters Logistics Base 4 in Gusau, Army Logistics Base 5 in Ilorin, and Operation Savannah Shield in the North Central have all been established to enhance operational presence and improve responses to emerging security challenges,”.

He said the killing of a high-ranking terrorist commander through coordinated operations, demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence sharing and strategic cooperation.

The COAS  commended officers and soldiers for their resilience, gallantry and professionalism in confronting complex security challenges.

He paid glowing tribute to fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the nation, noting that their legacy remains the bedrock of Nigeria’s unity and peace.

Earlier, the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Bamidele Alabi, in his welcome address, noted that the conference would consolidate the operational gains and set a clear direction for the rest of the year.

He commended the leadership of the COAS and the dedication of troops in counter-insurgency and anti-banditry operations nationwide, urging participants to contribute meaningfully to deliberations.