The Nigerian Army has commenced the construction of an additional training depot at Amasiri-Edda in Afikpo and Edda Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State, as part of efforts to strengthen national security and expand the Army’s training capacity nationwide.
The project follows the directive of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s security architecture and promoting inclusive representation within the Armed Forces.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, was performed by the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, who expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), W Shaibu, for approving the establishment of the training depot in the state.
Governor Nwifuru noted that the facility would enhance recruitment opportunities and encourage greater participation of youths from Ebonyi State and the South-East region in serving the nation through the Nigerian Army. He added that the depot would also contribute significantly to peace, security, and socio-economic development within the state.
Representing the COAS at the event, the General Officer Commanding 82 Division Nigerian Army and Commander, Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA, Oluremi Fadairo, commended the host communities for their cooperation and support.
He stated that the establishment of the depot aligns with the President’s vision of equitable distribution of military infrastructure and inclusive national representation in the Armed Forces.
Major General Fadairo urged youths in the South-East to take advantage of the opportunity by actively filling their recruitment quotas in the Nigerian Army, stressing that equal opportunities exist for all states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
He further emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration between the military and host communities in addressing contemporary security challenges, assuring that the Training Depot, Amasiri-Edda, would serve as a catalyst for stability, development, and strengthened civil-military relations in the region.
The ceremony 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), VU Okoro, followed by the symbolic laying of foundation blocks by the Governor and the COAS representative.
With the establishment of the Amasiri-Edda depot, the total number of Nigerian Army training depots now stands at three: Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria (established in 1924), Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo (established in 2025), and Depot Nigerian Army, Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State. This development underscores the Nigerian Army’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property while expanding its training infrastructure to meet manpower needs in response to evolving national security demands.
