Nigerian Army Begins Construction of New Training Depot in Ebonyi
The Nigerian Army has commenced the construction of an additional training depot at Amasiri-Edda, spanning Afikpo and Edda Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State, in furtherance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and expand military training capacity nationwide.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, was performed by the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr (Builder) Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru. The Governor expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General W. Shaibu, for approving the establishment of the facility in the state.
Governor Nwifuru noted that the training depot would enhance recruitment opportunities and encourage greater participation of youths from Ebonyi State and the wider South-East region in the Nigerian Army. He also acknowledged the Army’s contributions to peace, security and socio-economic development within the state.
Speaking on behalf of the COAS, the General Officer Commanding 82 Division Nigerian Army and Commander, Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA, Major General Oluremi Fadairo, commended the host communities for their cooperation and support. He said the project aligns with the President’s vision of equitable distribution of military infrastructure and inclusive national representation within the Armed Forces.
Major General Fadairo urged youths across the South-East to take advantage of the opportunity by fully utilising their recruitment quota into the Nigerian Army, stressing that equal opportunities exist for all states and the Federal Capital Territory. He added that the new depot would promote stability, development and stronger civil-military relations in the region.
The event also featured the formal handover of land documents by Governor Nwifuru to the Nigerian Army. The documents were received on behalf of the COAS by the Chief of Training (Army), Major General V. U. Okoro, followed by the symbolic laying of foundation blocks by the Governor and the COAS representative.
With the establishment of the Amasiri-Edda Training Depot, the number of Nigerian Army depots now stands at three: the Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria (established in 1924); Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo (established in 2025); and Depot Nigerian Army, Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State. The development underscores the Nigerian Army’s commitment to enhancing training infrastructure and meeting manpower requirements in response to evolving security challenges.
#UTVAfrica#
