The Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, has officially handed over 618 hectares of land for the establishment of a Nigerian Army Training Depot in the state, a move aimed at enhancing security and fostering peaceful coexistence with host communities.
Governor Nwifuru made the donation during the groundbreaking ceremony at the site, which spans the boundary between Amangwu in Edda Local Government Area and Amasiri in Afikpo North Local Government Area.
He urged residents of Amasiri and Amangwu, alongside the Nigerian Army, to maintain cordial relations, ensure discipline and professionalism, and foster harmonious cohabitation in the area.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the establishment of the Nigerian Army Depot in the South-East and revealed that the land, located at the boundary of Amangwu, Edda Local Government Area, and Amasiri in Afikpo North Local Government Area, covers about 618 hectares.
Governor Nwifuru described the project as “a historic milestone and a clear demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to fairness, equity and national integration.”
He added that the siting of the depot in Ebonyi State under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative had met a long-standing aspiration of the people of the South-East for increased security presence and inclusion in critical national security infrastructure.
“On behalf of the entire South-East geopolitical zone, the government and good people of Ebonyi State, I humbly thank Mr President and the Chief of Army Staff for approving the establishment of a brand new Nigerian Army Depot for South-East Nigeria in Ebonyi State,” the governor said.
Nwifuru explained that the new depot would complement existing Army depots in Kaduna and Osogbo, enhance manpower development, improve operational readiness and strengthen the Army’s capacity to address evolving security challenges across the country.
He added that the project would also bring “significant economic and social benefits to Ebonyi and neighbouring states, including job creation, infrastructure development and improved civil-military relations.”
The Governor assured the Nigerian Army of the state’s full support, noting that the land is dedicated exclusively to the establishment of the Army training facility for the South-East zone.
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The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, represented by the General Officer Commanding 82 Division and Commander Joint Task Force South-East, Major General Oluremi Fadairo, said the establishment of the depot was part of ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Army to boost manpower through sound training.
He noted that Nigeria’s security environment had become increasingly complex, making the expansion of training facilities and manpower imperative. According to him, the new depot in Ebonyi would significantly enhance the Army’s training capacity and preparedness.
Lieutenant General Shaibu thanked the Ebonyi State Government and host communities for their sustained support and cooperation with the Nigerian Army, stressing that “effective security requires collaboration between the military and the citizenry.”
The Chairmen of Edda and Afikpo North Local Governments, Prince Chima Ekumankama and Mr Timothy Nwachi, said the project had brought renewed hope to the area and would help resolve lingering disputes between neighbouring communities.
They pledged that their people would ensure lasting peace and provide full support for the project. The Council Chairmen also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Chief of Army Staff for citing the depot in their area, describing the project as transformative and assuring that the host communities would protect and support the facility.
They also pledged their total support and votes to the President in the 2027 general election.