Davidson Ogbebor

BENIN CITY- Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has assured that the state government is working to facilitate the speedy operationalisation of the Nigerian Army’s 83 Division in Benin City.

The governor gave the assurance on Thursday, September 24, 2026, during an inspection visit to the temporary facility of the proposed division in Benin, where he assessed the progress of ongoing preparatory work.

According to a statement issued by Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, the governor expressed satisfaction with the pace of work at the facility, noting that the area had been cleared of bush since his previous inspection visit about two weeks earlier.

Okpebholo said the next major phase of the work would be the fencing of the facility, stressing that the state was prepared to provide the necessary support for the military formation to commence operations.

“We are set for the 83 Division here in Edo State, by the grace of God. Everything needed to complete this place for the military to inhabit here is ready and we are set,” the governor was quoted as saying.

The governor described Edo as a strategically positioned state in the South-South region, recalling its historical status as the headquarters of the former Mid-West Region.

He said the establishment of a military division in Edo by the Federal Government would have significance beyond the state, particularly in strengthening security coordination across the South-South.

“Edo is a central point. We have work to do in the South-South,” Okpebholo said, describing President Bola Tinubu’s decision to locate the division in Edo as a strategic one.

He also said the infrastructure being provided by the state government was part of its commitment to supporting the military and creating an enabling environment for personnel deployed to the division.

Okpebholo assured that the state would continue to provide the necessary assistance to ensure that military personnel operating from the facility had suitable conditions.

The Commander, 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Balogun, who accompanied the governor during the inspection, said the visit was a follow-up to an earlier assessment of the facility.

Balogun said work was progressing steadily and expressed optimism that the operationalisation of the division would commence in the nearest future in line with the Federal Government’s pronouncement, even as additional amenities and facilities were being incorporated.

A resident of the area, His Royal Highness Dogwo Bako, also commended the governor for the clearing of the facility, saying the location had previously been used as a hideout by criminals.

Bako said the transformation had improved residents’ confidence and expressed the community’s support for the development.

What the development means; The proposed 83 Division represents a potentially significant addition to the security architecture of Edo and the wider South-South region. Its location in Benin could improve the Nigerian Army’s capacity for rapid deployment and coordination in response to security challenges within the region.

However, the effectiveness of the new formation will ultimately depend not merely on the establishment of the division or the provision of temporary infrastructure, but on the speed of its full operationalisation, availability of personnel and equipment, logistics, accommodation and other permanent facilities.

The governor’s inspection also suggests that the Edo Government is positioning the project as part of its broader security partnership with the Federal Government and the Nigerian military.

For residents, the most immediate expectation is that the presence of the division will translate into stronger security coordination and a sustained reduction in criminal activity around Benin City and other parts of the state.

The information contained in this report is based on a statement issued by Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo.