 The outbreak of civil hostilities in Nigeria in 1967 necessitated the creation of additional divisions of the nation's army. At the heat of the battle, a unique army division was formed, and was given a name that was synonymous to its terrain of operation. That Division was the "3 Marine Commando" . It was first put under the command of a young army officer, Lt Col BAM Adekunle, popularly known as "Black Scorpion" . However, the Division has since changed its name and has been christened "3 Infantry Division" , and in 1975, it was again renamed "3 Armoured Division" . As at the year 2002, it has been commanded by 21 General Officers Commanding.
General Officers Commanding
| 1. |
Lt Col BAM Adekunle FSS psc
|
Jul 67-Aug 67
|
|
2.
|
Col BAM Adekunle FSS psc
|
Aug 67- May 69
|
|
3.
|
Col O Obasanjo FSS psc
|
May 69- Jan 72
|
|
4.
|
Col TY Danjuma FSS psc
|
Jan 71-Dec 73
|
|
5.
|
Brig Gen EO Abisoye FSS psc
|
Jul 75-Jan 76
|
|
6.
|
Maj Gen EO Abisoye FSS psc
|
Jan 76-Aug 78
|
|
7.
|
Brig Gen MM Remawa FSS psc
|
Aug 78-Jan 79
|
|
8.
|
Maj Gen GS Jalo JSSC NDC
|
Jan 79-Oct 79
|
|
9.
|
Maj Gen GO Ejiga FSS psc
|
Oct 79-Nov 81
|
|
10.
|
Brig Gen M Buhari FSS psc
|
Jan 84-Aug 85
|
|
11.
|
Brig Gen S Ibrahim FSS psc fwc
|
Jan 84-Aug 85
|
|
12.
|
Maj Gen JN Dogonyaro FSS psc Mss
|
Sep 85-Dec 87
|
|
13.
|
Maj Gen G Duba FSS psc Mss
|
Jan 88-Jan 90
|
|
14.
|
Maj Gen DO Diya FSS psc mni
|
Feb 90-Sep 90
|
|
15.
|
Col AI Olurin FSS psc mni
|
Oct 90-Jan 93
|
|
16.
|
Brig Gen AI Olurin FSS psc mni
|
Oct 90-Jan 93
|
|
17.
|
Brig Gen AM Daku MSS psc (+)
|
Jan 93-Sep 93
|
|
18.
|
Brig Gen TA Olarewaju MSS psc (+) NDC
|
Sep 93-Mar 95
|
|
19.
|
Maj Gen LA Onoja MSS psc (+) mni
|
Mar 95-Apr 96
|
|
20.
|
Brig Gen A Dada MSS psc (+) mni
|
Apr 96-Oct 96
|
|
21.
|
Brig Gen PG Sha DSS psc mni
|
Nov 96-Sep 97
|
|
22.
|
Brig Gen PG Sha DSS psc mni
|
Oct 79-Mar 99
|
|
23.
|
Maj Gen E Archibong DSS psc (+) mni
|
Mar 99-Jul 99
|
|
24.
|
Maj Gen TS Akande CON DSS FSS psc (+) Msc
|
Jul 99 - Feb 02
|
|
25.
|
Maj Gen Owonibi DSS psc GSM fwc Msc
|
Feb 02-Feb 03
|
| 26. |
Maj Gen D Dyaji |
Feb 03-17 Jan 05 |
| 27. |
Maj Gen I A Dikko |
17 Jan 05- 09 Jul 06 |
| 28. |
Maj Gen JOS Oshanupin |
10 Jul 06-2007 |
| 29. |
Maj Gen Akinyemi |
|
| 30. |
Maj Gen Saleh Maina |
|
|
The
office of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is at the apex of the NA
structure. It exists under his command, to deter all forms of
aggression and render MACA and MACP. Section 18(3) of the Armed Forces
Act CAP A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, saddles the COAS
with the responsibility of command, direction and general
superintendence of the Army.
