82nd Division (Nigeria)

The 82nd (Airborne and Amphibious) Division is a division of the Nigerian Army. It has an area of responsibility covering Southern Nigeria, near the borders with Cameroon.[1] It is numbered in honor of the 82nd (West Africa) Division during the Burma campaign.

82 Division
Active1975–present
Country Nigeria
TypeMechanized Infantry
RoleCombat support
SizeDivision
Part of Nigerian Army
Garrison/HQEnugu, Enugu State

History

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It was established in 1975.[2] General Mamman Jiya Vatsa established the doctrinal basis for the establishment of the 82nd Division, including its naming after the 82nd West African Division.[3]

In 1982, Col. Musa Bityong aided the establishment of the first Airborne of a "can do, special forces" officer - "a soldier's soldier" squad in the division.[4]

Structure

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The division included:[5][6]

  • Headquarters (Enugu[7][8])
  • 7 Amphibious Battalion
  • 93 Amphibious Battalion (Takum)[9]
  • 146 Amphibious Battalion
  • 245 Reconnaissance Battalion[5][10]
  • 2 Amphibious Brigade (Port Harcourt)
    • 1 Amphibious Battalion
    • 20 Amphibious Battalion
    • 40 Motorized Battalion
  • 13 Motorized Brigade (Calabar)
    • 4 Motorized Battalion
    • 103 Amphibious Battalion (Garikki)
  • 34 Field Artillery Brigade (Obinze)[11]
    • 341 Field Artillery Regiment
    • 342 Field Artillery Regiment
    • 343 Field Artillery Regiment

Commanders

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  • Zamani Lekwot (?)
  • Oladipo Diya (1985-1991)
  • Major General Felix Mujakperuo (1996-1998)[12][13]
  • Major General Ibrahim Attahiru
  • Major General UT Musa
  • Major General AB Abubakar
  • Major General LA Adegboye
  • Major General TA Lagbaja
  • Major General HT Dada

References

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  1. ^ DeRouen, Karl R.; Heo, Uk (2005). Defense and Security: A Compendium of National Armed Forces and Security Policies. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-1-85109-781-4.
  2. ^ "Nigerian Army | 82 Division". Nigerian Army | Official Website. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  3. ^ Omoigui, Nowa. "The Vatsa Conspiracy (Part 2) - Some Biosketches". Gamji. Archived from the original on 25 January 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  4. ^ Omoiɡui, Nowa. "The Vatsa Conspiracy (Part 2)-Some Biosketches". Archived from the original on 2015-01-25. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Nigerian Army Order of Battle". Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  6. ^ "Nigeria - 82 Composite Division". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  7. ^ "Nigerian Army- Official Website". Army.mil.ng.
  8. ^ Inamete, Ufot Bassey (2001). Foreign Policy Decision-making in Nigeria. Susquehanna University Press. ISBN 978-1-57591-048-2.
  9. ^ Admin (2016-03-27). "PRESS STATEMENT BY LT COL CO EGEMOLE ON CRISIS IN IBI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA ON FRIDAY 25TH MARCH 2016". Nigerian Army | Official Website. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  10. ^ "Preventing Coups in Nigeria". www.gamji.com. Retrieved 2020-10-03.
  11. ^ "34 Artillery Brigade Imo gets new Commander, Sulaiman".
  12. ^ Adeolu (2017-03-23). "MUJAKPERUO, HRM (Maj-Gen.) Felix Agho (rtd.)". Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  13. ^ "MAJ- GEN FELIX MUJAKPERUO (RTD) APPOINTED AS CHANCELLOR OF NIGERIAN ARMY UNIVERSITY BIU – Nigerian Army University Biu". Retrieved 2023-03-14.