President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new Nigerian Army depot in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen national security.
The new facility increases the number of army depots in the country to three, alongside the long-standing depots in Kaduna and Osogbo.
The approval was disclosed by the President’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, who said the move reflects the administration’s commitment to boosting the capacity of the Nigerian Army amid security challenges across the country.
Speaking in a video, the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Waidi Shaibu, explained that the depot will play a key role in expanding troop strength. According to him, 3,500 soldiers will be trained at the Abakaliki depot, while another batch of 3,500 personnel is expected to arrive from Osogbo for further training.
Shaibu said the soldiers will undergo advanced infantry training before being deployed to various operational areas nationwide. He added that modern technology will be incorporated into the training process, including indoor shooting ranges aimed at improving marksmanship and operational readiness.
The army chief noted that the additional training is designed to equip troops with the skills needed to respond effectively to evolving security threats in different parts of the country.
He said the establishment of the Abakaliki depot is expected to enhance the army’s operational effectiveness and improve its ability to address security challenges across Nigeria.
