Nkechinyere Ewa
The Nigerian Army has expressed confidence that its newly approved training depot in Ebonyi State will enhance security and drive socio-economic growth across the Southeast.
The project follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mid-2025 decision to decentralise military training by unbundling the Nigerian Army Training Depot in Kaduna, which had long served as the country’s sole training facility. As part of the initiative, Ebonyi State was selected to host the Southeast depot, with Amasiri and Amangwu communities in Afikpo and Edda Local Government Areas providing the location.
On Tuesday, Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru formally handed over 618 hectares of land donated by the two neighbouring communities to the Nigerian Army in the presence of senior military officers, government officials and community representatives.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Wayeed Shuaibu, the General Officer Commanding 82 Division and Commander of Joint Task Force Southeast, Operation Udoka, Major General Oluremi Fadeiro, said the depot would significantly improve the region’s security architecture while opening new economic opportunities.
He revealed that the facility would begin operations with about 3,000 recruits, with plans to expand capacity to 7,000 trainees in subsequent phases. He added that construction would commence immediately, alongside the development of key facilities such as places of worship, a mammy market, residential quarters and other essential infrastructure.
Governor Nwifuru described the establishment of the depot as a strategic move to foster peace between Amasiri and Amangwu Edda communities, which had previously experienced disputes over the land.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to security under the People’s Charter of Needs agenda and pledged continued collaboration with security agencies to curb the activities of armed non-state actors in the state.
The governor noted that beyond improving security, the training depot would strengthen civil-military relations and stimulate economic growth in Ebonyi State and the wider Southeast region, while urging the Nigerian Army to maintain professionalism and cordial relations with host communities.