Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, has expressed confidence that the newly approved 10 Division of the Nigerian Army, to be headquartered in Jalingo, will significantly improve security and accelerate socio-economic development across Taraba State and neighbouring communities.
Governor Kefas stated this on Thursday while receiving members of the Nigerian Army Order of Battle (ORBAT) 2023 Review Committee in Abuja. The delegation was on an engagement aimed at facilitating the operational take-off of the newly established 10 Division Headquarters in Jalingo.
The governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the establishment of the Division and appreciated the Chief of Army Staff for locating it in Taraba State.
Describing the move as both timely and strategic, Kefas said the new military formation would enhance security operations across the state and strengthen stability in surrounding areas.
“Taraba State is one of Nigeria’s largest states with a unique security environment. The State shares boundaries with Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Plateau, Benue and Nasarawa States, as well as an extensive international border with the Republic of Cameroon.”
He added: “The operationalization of the Division would not only strengthen security but also stimulate socio-economic development, attract investment, improve infrastructure and enhance the overall well-being of the people of Taraba and neighbouring Adamawa State.”
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Chief of Army Standards and Evaluation (CASE), Major General BT Ugiagbe, said the visit underscored the Federal Government’s and the Nigerian Army’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture following President Tinubu’s approval for the establishment of additional Army divisions across the country.
According to him, the new formations are designed to improve operational effectiveness and address evolving security challenges nationwide.
Major General Ugiagbe thanked the Taraba State Government for its sustained support in maintaining peace and security, describing the partnership between the state and the Nigerian Army as vital to the success of the initiative.
He explained that the committee’s visit formed part of its mandate to engage key stakeholders on the implementation of the Nigerian Army ORBAT 2023 Review, particularly the operationalisation of the 10 Division Headquarters in Jalingo.
The senior military officer noted that the establishment of the Division represents a major milestone in the Army’s force restructuring programme.
He said the formation is expected to strengthen command and control, improve operational responsiveness, reinforce border security and enhance the military’s capacity to tackle emerging security threats within its area of responsibility.
Major General Ugiagbe further disclosed that the 10 Division, headquartered in Jalingo, will oversee military operations in Taraba and Adamawa states, both of which were previously under the operational jurisdiction of the 3 Division, Nigerian Army, Jos.
He added that the visit was also aimed at deepening collaboration with the Taraba State Government to ensure the smooth and timely take-off of the new Division.
The committee leader stressed that the successful establishment of the Division would require adequate land for critical military infrastructure, including the Divisional Headquarters, permanent barracks, residential accommodation for officers and soldiers, training grounds, logistics bases, workshops, equipment parks, ammunition storage facilities, medical centres, schools, communication infrastructure, administrative buildings and other operational support facilities needed for a fully functional military formation.
