1st Division (Nigeria)

Last updated
1st Division
Active1967–present
CountryFlag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria
Type Mechanized infantry
Role Anti-tank warfare
Armoured reconnaissance
Artillery observer
Close-quarters battle
Combined arms
Counter-battery fire
Desert warfare
Fire support
Indirect fire
Jungle warfare
Maneuver warfare
Raiding
Reconnaissance
SizeDivision
Part ofFlag of the Nigerian Army Headquarters.svg  Nigerian Army
Garrison/HQ Kaduna, Nigeria
Commanders
General Officer Commanding Major General M.L.D. Saraso
Notable
commanders

The 1st Division is a one of two mechanized infantry division unit of the Nigerian Army (NA), which specialized in combined arms, desert and jungle warfare, maneuver warfare, and reconnaissance. It was established during the Nigerian civil war and is charged with securing its area of responsibility covering the North Western flank of Nigeria and also ensuring that the borders located in its AOR are secured. The division is a mechanized infantry with affiliated combat support and combat service support units. [1]

Contents

History

In August–September 1967, 1 Area Command at Kaduna was predesignated 1 Infantry Division, and 2 Division was formed under Colonel Murtala Mohammed. [2] At the end of the Civil War, the three divisions of the army were reorganized into four divisions, with each controlling territories running from North to South, with each division having access to the sea. This was later abandoned in favor of the assignment of sectors to the divisions. [3]

Divisional components

The existence of 3rd Brigade at Kano was corroborated by a May 2015 report of 1,000 soldiers dismissed "for allegedly disobeying orders during onslaughts against Boko Haram militants in the North-east." [6]

17 Brigade began its formation in late 2017, and was officially established on 20 February 2018 for internal security duties. [7] It became part of 1 Division.

Commanders

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References

  1. "NIGERIAN ARMY 1 DIVISION". Nigerian Army. Archived from the original on 17 July 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  2. General Olunsegun Obasanjo, 'My Command: An Account of the Nigerian Civil War 1967-70,' Heinemann, Ibadan/London/Nairobi, p.18 (Via Joint Services Command and Staff College Library)
  3. "Post War Developments In The Nigerian Armed Forces". OnlineNigeria. 27 October 2002. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  4. "Army Games Begin in Abeokuta". Archived from the original on 2011-01-15. Retrieved 2013-10-26.
  5. Ravi Rikhye, Concise World Armies 2012, Orbat.com.
  6. "Army Sacks 1,000 Soldiers Over Boko Haram," Archived 2015-07-24 at the Wayback Machine , 26 May 2015
  7. "Army inaugurates 17 Brigade in Katsina". The Eagle Online. 22 February 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  8. "Headquarters 1 Division | Nigerian Army | Official Website" . Retrieved 2020-05-28.