Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has asked the Federal Government to locate the headquarters of the newly created 83 Division of the Nigerian Army in the state, citing Delta’s strategic location and concentration of critical national assets.
Oborevwori made the request on Tuesday when he received a Nigerian Army Headquarters committee on a stakeholders’ consultative visit to the state.
The committee, led by the Chief of Army Standards and Evaluation, Major-General Thompson Bobby Ugiagbe, was in Delta as part of consultations on the realignment of the Army’s Areas of Responsibility following the creation of the new division.
The governor argued that Delta was best positioned to host the division headquarters because of its proximity to Edo and Bayelsa states, which will also fall under the new division.
He said locating the headquarters in Delta would enable the Army to respond faster to security threats and protect strategic national assets across the South-South.
“Delta State is more central. Somebody coming from Edo will come through Delta, while somebody coming from Bayelsa to Edo will also pass through Delta. If the headquarters is located here, everybody can connect to the centre,” Oborevwori said.
The governor also pointed to Delta’s importance to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, saying the state hosts a significant concentration of critical infrastructure that requires adequate security.
He listed three airports in Asaba, Osubi and Escravos, as well as seaports in Warri, Burutu, Sapele and Koko, among the strategic facilities that need protection.
“We have three airports in Asaba, Osubi and Escravos and we also have seaports in Warri, Burutu, Sapele and Koko. These are critical assets that require security,” he said.
Oborevwori urged the committee to recommend Delta to the Chief of Army Staff and President Bola Tinubu as the preferred location for the division headquarters.
He said the state government was prepared to support the Army with land, temporary facilities and financial assistance to ensure the formation takes off effectively.
“This is not a passive appeal for the constitution of the division. It is a request for partnership from a state that understands what is at stake,” the governor said.
The governor recalled that his administration had previously provided land and infrastructure support for military formations established in the state, assuring the Army of continued cooperation.
He also noted that Delta had produced several senior military officers, including retired four-star generals, saying locating the division headquarters in the state would be a fitting recognition of their service to Nigeria.
Army explains new division structure
Ugiagbe said the creation of the 83 Division followed President Tinubu’s approval for the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions.
He explained that the new division would oversee security operations in Delta, Edo and Bayelsa states.
According to him, the restructuring would involve the creation and deployment of additional military units to strengthen security coverage and reduce gaps in the existing arrangement.
Ugiagbe said Delta would retain the 63 Brigade headquarters in Asaba, three battalions in Warri, the 90 Amphibious Battalion and the 181 Battalion.
He added that three additional formations would be deployed to the state, including the 246 Recce Battalion already established in Oleh, a new Field Artillery Regiment and an Air Defence Regiment.
The Army chief said the additional formations were necessary because of Delta’s strategic importance and the need to strengthen the military’s presence across the state.
He explained that the Army was considering locating the Field Artillery Regiment close to the brigade headquarters, while the Air Defence Regiment was being proposed for Osubi because of its strategic location and proximity to critical infrastructure.
“The Air Defence Regiment provides a large coverage for critical assets like airports, refineries and other critical national infrastructure,” Ugiagbe said.
Army seeks Delta’s support
Ugiagbe also appealed to the state government to provide temporary facilities and land to allow the new formations to begin operations while permanent structures are being developed.
He said the Army would work with relevant state agencies, including mapping and geographical information authorities, to identify, survey and properly document the land required for the new formations.
He said the deployment plan was designed to achieve better geographical coverage and reduce the time required for troops to respond to security threats across Delta, Edo and Bayelsa.
For Delta, the proposed location of the 83 Division headquarters is now both a security and strategic development issue. The governor’s argument is that the state’s central position and concentration of oil, gas, aviation and maritime infrastructure make it the most practical base for coordinating military operations across the three-state area.
The final decision, however, rests with the Nigerian Army and the Federal Government following the ongoing consultations on the new division’s structure and headquarters location.
