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.
The project follows a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, aimed at enhancing the country’s security architecture and ensuring wider access to military training facilities across the federation.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, and was performed by the Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr 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 depot in the state.
Governor Nwifuru said the facility would boost recruitment opportunities and encourage greater participation of youths from Ebonyi State and the South-East region in the Nigerian Army. He also noted that the Army has continued to play a vital role in promoting peace, security and socio-economic development in 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. He said the new depot aligns with the President’s vision of equitable distribution of military infrastructure and inclusive representation within the Armed Forces.
Major General Fadairo urged youths in the South-East to take advantage of the opportunity by filling their recruitment quotas in the Nigerian Army, stressing that equal opportunities exist for all states and the Federal Capital Territory. He added that the depot would strengthen civil-military relations and contribute to stability and development 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), Major General V. U. Okoro, followed by the symbolic laying of foundation blocks.
With the establishment of the Amasiri-Edda depot, the Nigerian Army now has three training depots: Depot Nigerian Army Zaria, established in 1924; Depot Nigerian Army Osogbo, established in 2025; and the newly approved Depot Nigerian Army Amasiri-Edda in Ebonyi State. The Army said the expansion reflects its commitment to meeting manpower needs and responding effectively to evolving security challenges.