Ebonyi Hosts Army Chief, Reaffirms Partnership on Security

By Zainab Uzomah | Abuja

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Nigerian Army to enhance security and promote development in the state and the South-East.

The governor gave the assurance on Tuesday while hosting the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, his wife and senior military officers to a state banquet in Abakaliki.

In a release issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, Governor Nwifuru commended the Nigerian Army for its role in protecting the country’s territorial integrity and maintaining peace. He described the establishment of the Depot Nigerian Army, Amasiri-Edda, as a strategic national asset that would strengthen military training, improve operational readiness and reinforce security in the South-East.

Responding, Lieutenant General Shaibu thanked the Ebonyi State Government for its support in establishing the depot, saying the facility would boost manpower development, enhance training standards and improve the Army’s capacity to respond to emerging security challenges.

The Army chief also reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to intelligence-led operations, civil-military cooperation and collaboration with other security agencies and local communities, stressing that lasting security requires the collective efforts of both the military and citizens.

The banquet was attended by senior government officials, traditional rulers, security stakeholders and other dignitaries, with cultural performances highlighting the partnership between the Ebonyi State Government and the Nigerian Army in promoting peace and regional stability.