Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, addressing military officers during the Chief of Army Staff First Bi-Annual Conference 2026 in Abuja.
The Nigerian Army has established new brigades, battalions and operational units across six states as part of efforts to strengthen security operations and improve rapid response to emerging threats nationwide.
Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shuaibu, disclosed this during the opening of the Chief of Army Staff First Bi-Annual Conference 2026 held in Abuja.
According to the Army Chief, the new formations are aimed at expanding military presence in volatile areas, improving operational effectiveness and enhancing the Army’s ability to respond swiftly to security challenges across the country.
“The Nigerian Army has maintained an enhanced operational posture through continuous troop deployments, reconfiguration of formations and the establishment of additional Joint Task Force formations and units in critical locations,” Shuaibu said.
New Military Formations Established in Strategic Locations
Shuaibu said the newly established formations include the 15 Brigade and affiliated units in Anambra State and Imo State, the 12 Battalion in Anyigba, the 226 Battalion in Ganye, Adamawa State, and the 247 Reconnaissance Battalion in Mubi.
Other new operational structures include Army Headquarters Logistics Base 4 in Gusau, Army Logistics Base 5 in Ilorin, and Operation Savannah Shield in the North Central region.
The Army Chief explained that the expansion is designed to strengthen operational reach, improve response time and support intelligence-led operations against criminal networks and insurgent groups.
“These measures have strengthened our operational reach, improved response time and facilitated effective intelligence-led operations,” he stated.
He added that the Army has continued to disrupt criminal activities and restore relative calm in several previously volatile communities.
Army Expands Recruitment and Aviation Capacity
The Chief of Army Staff also revealed that the establishment of the Depot Nigerian Army in Amasiri, Edda, Ebonyi State, is part of efforts to implement the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the recruitment of an additional 28,000 troops under the Army expansion programme.
Shuaibu noted that increased manpower would further strengthen operational capacity and national security efforts.
He also highlighted the growing role of Nigerian Army aviation in military operations, particularly in the North-East.
According to him, Army aviation assets recently supported troop insertion and extraction operations within the Tumbutu Triangle for the first time, describing the development as a significant operational achievement.
“One of the major enablers of our recent operational success has been the growing contribution of Nigerian Army aviation assets,” he said.
Army Reaffirms Commitment to Joint Security Operations
Shuaibu reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to strengthening joint operations, inter-agency collaboration and international security partnerships to improve counter-terrorism operations across the country.
He also commended President Tinubu for supporting the Armed Forces through improved equipment procurement, infrastructure development and personnel welfare initiatives.
The Army Chief said ongoing welfare interventions, including accommodation projects, healthcare services and allowance reviews, are intended to boost troop morale and improve combat readiness.
The latest military expansion comes amid continued security challenges in Nigeria, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry and kidnappings in the North-West and North-Central, as well as secessionist-related violence in the South-East.
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