Zaria: The Nigerian Army says it is expanding its operational strength with the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to enhance battlefield dominance and tackle emerging security threats across the country. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, stated this at the Passing-Out Parade of the 90 Regular Recruits Intake at Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja. Shaibu noted that these recruits are part of the first batch of the 28,000 personnel approved by President Bola Tinubu following the declaration of a state of emergency on national security. The recruitment drive aims to strengthen the army’s manpower and operational capacity to confront insurgency, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft, and other security challenges.
The training depots in Zaria, Amasiri-Eda, and Oshogbo are expected to produce 14,000 recruits in two streams. “This reflects a deliberate effort to rapidly enhance the Nigerian Army’s manpower and operational capacity. The approval demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to providing the army with the manpower and resources necessary to confront threats to national peace and stability,” Shaibu said.
The recruits have undergone six months of rigorous military training designed to prepare them for contemporary security operations. The reviewed training curriculum places greater emphasis on counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency operations, marksmanship, and the application of emerging technologies. Shaibu emphasized that the enhanced manpower would improve the operational effectiveness of formations and units across various theatres of operation, providing relief to troops who have served continuously in operational areas while ensuring the sustainability of military operations.
Shaibu urged the recruits to uphold the core values of discipline, loyalty, and professionalism throughout their careers. He also cautioned them against violating the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s social media policy through the unauthorized sharing of operational information and sensitive military activities, as breaches of operational security could undermine military effectiveness, discipline, and national security.
The army chief further charged the recruits to respect human rights, adhere strictly to rules of engagement, and conduct themselves in ways that would uphold the image of the Nigerian Army. He reiterated his commitment to improving training standards, infrastructure, and personnel welfare at Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria, and commended the commandant, instructors, and staff of the depot for producing another set of professional soldiers ready for deployment in support of national security operations.