82 Division | |
---|---|
Active | 1975–present |
Country | ![]() |
Type | Airborne forces Mechanized infantry Motorized infantry |
Role | Air assault Amphibious warfare Anti-tank warfare Armoured reconnaissance Artillery observer Bomb disposal Close-quarters battle Coastal defence Combined arms Counter-battery fire Fire support Force protection Indirect fire Internal security Maneuver warfare Mountain warfare Parachuting Raiding Reconnaissance Tracking Urban warfare |
Size | Division |
Part of | ![]() |
Garrison/HQ | Enugu, Enugu State |
The 82nd (Airborne and Amphibious) Division is the only combined infantry between airborne forces, mechanized infantry, and motorized infantry division unit of the Nigerian Army (NA), which specialized in air assault and airborne operations, amphibious warfare, combined arms, coastal defence, CQB/CQC in urban areas, desert and jungle warfare, maneuver warfare, mountain warfare, providing security at ports or shore stations, raiding with smal unit tactics, and reconnaissance. 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.
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]
The division included: [5] [6]