By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Army has commenced the construction of an additional training depot at Amasiri-Edda, straddling Afikpo and Edda Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State, in a major step aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s national security architecture and expanding the Army’s training capacity across the country. The project is in line with the directive of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to deepen manpower development and ensure a more balanced distribution of military infrastructure nationwide.
The development was disclosed in an official signed statement by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, who said the groundbreaking ceremony for the new depot was held on Tuesday, 13 January 2026. The ceremony was performed by the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Dr (Builder) Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, marking a historic milestone for the state and the South-East region.
In his remarks at the event, Governor Nwifuru expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General W. Shaibu, for approving the establishment of the training depot in Ebonyi State. He described the project as a strategic investment that would not only strengthen national security but also create opportunities for young people in the state and the wider South-East to serve their country through the Nigerian Army. The Governor noted that the presence of the facility would enhance recruitment opportunities, encourage greater youth participation in military service, and further underscore the Nigerian Army’s contributions to peace, security and the socio-economic development of Ebonyi State.
Representing the Chief of Army Staff at the ceremony, 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 stated that the establishment of the additional training depot aligns squarely with the vision of the President and Commander-in-Chief to ensure equitable distribution of military infrastructure and inclusive national representation within the Armed Forces. According to him, the new depot would significantly increase opportunities for youths from the South-East to enlist in the Nigerian Army and serve the nation with pride and a sense of belonging.
Major General Fadairo further urged the people of the South-East to take full advantage of the opportunity by actively filling their recruitment quota in the Nigerian Army. He emphasized that equal opportunities are available to all states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, stressing that contemporary security challenges require sustained collaboration between the military and its host communities. He assured that the Nigerian Army Training Depot, Amasiri-Edda, would serve as a catalyst for stability, development and strengthened civil-military relations across the region.
A key highlight of the ceremony was the formal handover of land documents by Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru to the Nigerian Army. The documents were received on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff by the Chief of Training (Army), Major General V. U. Okoro. This was followed by the symbolic laying of foundation blocks by the Governor and the COAS representative, signalling the official commencement of construction work on the facility.
With the establishment of the Amasiri-Edda depot, the total number of Nigerian Army training depots now stands at three. These include the pioneer Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria, established in 1924; the Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, established in 2025; and the newly approved Depot Nigerian Army, Amasiri-Edda in Afikpo, Ebonyi State. The development underscores the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property while deliberately expanding its training infrastructure to meet growing manpower requirements in response to evolving national security demands.
