Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has described the establishment of a new Army Depot in the state by the federal government as a historic milestone and a clear demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to fairness, equity and national integration.

The governor stated this while formally handing over a large expanse of land to the Nigerian Army for the project.

The land, located at the boundary land of Amangwu, Edda Local government–Amasiri in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, was officially handed over during a well-attended ceremony that marked the groundbreaking of the new Army Depot, to serve the South-East geopolitical zone.

Recall that President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, last year, approved the establishment of a Nigerian Army Depot in the South-East.

Nwifuru then said that the siting of the depot in Ebonyi 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 handed over covers about 618 hectares and is dedicated exclusively to the establishment of the Army training facility for the South-East zone.

He also urged residents to continue to cooperate with security agencies and called on the Army to maintain discipline, professionalism and harmonious relations with host communities, describing Ebonyians as hospitable people.

Earlier, 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.

Also speaking, Chairman of Afikpo North Local Government Area, Timothy Nwachi, said the project had brought renewed hope to the area and helped to resolve lingering disputes between neighbouring communities.

He pledged, alongside the Chairman of Edda Local Government Area, Chima Ekumankama, that their people would ensure lasting peace and provide full support for the project.

The council chairmen 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.

The ceremony concluded with goodwill messages and renewed commitments from stakeholders to sustain peace, security and cooperation as construction of the Nigerian Army Depot in Ebonyi State begins. (Nigerian Tribune)