Linus Aleke in Abuja
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has introduced plans by the Nigerian Army to operationalise the newly established 83 Division in Benin City as a part of efforts to deal with kidnapping and different rising safety threats in the realm.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s dedication to increasing its pressure construction and strengthening its operational capabilities to handle rising safety challenges throughout the nation.
Lieutenant General Shaibu introduced the plan throughout a courtesy go to to the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on the Government House in Benin City.
Meanwhile, troops of 18 Brigade have rescued 16 kidnapped individuals and recovered weapons, ammunition and logistics from terrorists and kidnappers in Niger State.
A serious spotlight of the COAS’s go to was his assurance that the newly established 83 Division, with its headquarters in Benin City, would quickly change into operational.
According to an announcement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the COAS defined that the Division types a part of the Nigerian Army’s ongoing enlargement from eight to 12 divisions.
“The expansion is aimed at strengthening military presence, improving command and control, and enhancing rapid responses to security threats across the country, particularly in Edo State and the wider South-South region,” the COAS stated.
The COAS added that his go to was additionally geared toward assessing operational actions at Headquarters 4 Brigade and commissioning key Army initiatives, together with the Affordable Home Ownership Option for Soldiers (AHOOAS) and Civil-Military Cooperation initiatives designed to enhance personnel welfare and strengthen relations with host communities.
In his remarks, Governor Okpebholo recommended the Nigerian Army for its professionalism and contributions to peace and safety in the state.
He assured the COAS of his administration’s continued assist and collaboration in strengthening safety and sustaining stability.
“The operationalisation of 83 Division represents a significant milestone in the Nigerian Army’s force expansion drive and its determination to build a more responsive and operationally effective force,” Colonel Anele stated.
Meanwhile, troops of 18 Brigade have recorded operational successes in Niger State following intelligence studies on the motion of terrorists from Mashegu Local Government Area in the direction of Rijiyan Nagwamatse in Kontagora Local Government Area.
Acting on the intelligence, the troops established an ambush alongside suspected terrorist routes.
In a separate assertion, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 18 Brigade, Captain Adebayo Adewumi, stated the troops made contact with the criminals, who had earlier kidnapped residents of the realm, neutralising an unconfirmed variety of them and rescuing 16 victims.
He famous that gadgets recovered in the course of the ambush included two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, three RPG high-explosive anti-personnel bombs, 33 bikes, assorted ammunition and N4,105,000 in money.
“In a associated operation on 3 November 2026, troops intercepted terrorists transferring from Makuku Village in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State in the direction of Tungan (*83*) in Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State. The troops engaged the criminals in a fierce firefight, forcing them to retreat into the encompassing forest with various levels of gunshot wounds.
“A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of five motorcycles, a mobile phone, N644,300 and other sundry items. The 16 rescued victims have received first aid and have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for reunification with their families, while recovered items remain in military custody for further action,” the assertion stated.
The Commander, 18 Brigade, recommended the troops for his or her gallantry, resilience and dedication to responsibility, urging them to maintain the operational momentum and intensify efforts to rid the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility of felony parts.
The growth highlights the Nigerian Army’s efforts to strengthen its operational capability by the enlargement of its formations, enhanced army presence and improved responsiveness to safety threats. These measures are geared toward defending communities and disrupting the logistics and actions of felony networks.
