Each division thus had access to the sea thereby making triservice cooperation and logistic support easier.

This deployment formula was later abandoned in favour of the present assignment of sectors to the divisions.

[citation needed] 3rd Armoured Division was responsible in April 1983 for the security of areas bordering Chad during the Chadian–Nigerian War.

[5] From October 22 to 24, 2001, several hundred Army soldiers of the Yola Brigade (23 Brigade) of 3rd Armoured Division killed more than two hundred unarmed civilians and destroyed homes, shops, public buildings and other property in more than seven towns and villages in Benue State, in central eastern Nigeria.

The 72nd Special Forces Battalion appears to have tried to intercede with the Yola Brigade to avoid further killings, in the midst of the events.