Army Raises Alarm Over Low South East Recruitment

(Waidi Shaibu. Photo Credit: THISDAYLIVE)

The Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu, has called on leaders, parents and guardians throughout the South East to push more young people toward enlisting in the Nigerian Army, expressing concern that the zone has repeatedly fallen short of meeting its recruitment quota.

He made the remarks while addressing the passing-out parade of 2,989 regular recruits held at the Nigerian Army Recruits Training Depot in Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State.

According to Shaibu, the region’s recruitment quota remains underutilised, a situation he insisted must change going forward.

He explained that the newly established depot was set up specifically to drive higher enlistment numbers from the South East and appealed to communities to take advantage of the opportunity it presents.

The Army chief described military service as a dignified path defined by patriotism, leadership and dedication to the nation, urging traditional and community leaders, parents, guardians and elders to actively encourage eligible young men and women to join up.

Addressing the newly passed-out soldiers directly, Shaibu noted that the country’s array of security threats among them t+rrorism, ins¥rgency, b+nditry, separatist-driven violence, organised crime and cyber thr+ats demand discipline, personal sacrifice and steadfast commitment from every serving officer.

He further cautioned troops against breaching the Army’s social media guidelines, warning that posting operational details, images from military activities, information about sensitive locations, or unverified content online could attract disciplinary consequences, up to and including dismissal from service.

Also speaking at the event, Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru restated his administration’s support for the Nigerian Army, promising to maintain a secure and conducive environment for military training in the state while working to deepen collaboration between armed forces personnel and the communities that host them.