INSECURITY: Army begins massive recruitment

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Azubuike Ihejirika, yesterday disclosed that the Nigerian Army has commenced massive recruitment of soldiers to fight the ongoing security challenges in the country. He said about 9,000 soldiers have been recruitment so far. 

According to him, the security challenges in the country is of greatest concern to the army, hence, the need to increase its men.

Speaking at an interactive session at 2 Division Headquarters, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Odogbo, Ibadan, Oyo State capital, Ihejirika said Nigerian Army has intensified its effort towards re-training of its personnel to meet up with the various security challenges.

He stated that the theme of the interactive session,  ‘Consolidating Civil Society Organisations: Military Relations for Improved National Security,’ was considered as part of the quest by the Nigerian Army to resolve the crisis the nation is currently faced with.

Ihejirika, who was represented by Major. General Jah Enwansiha,  said the  Nigerian Army and civil society organisations should not only know each other better but also learn to work together for achievement of common objectives.

He stated that the Nigeria Army was ready to partner with civil society groups as long as it is in an effort to make Nigeria a safer place for Nigerians and foreigners.

On the Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs, he stated that it was established, in line with the 2010 Order of Battle (ORBAT) by the Chief of Army Staff  with the aim of actualising his vision which was to “transform the Nigerian Army into a force better and able to meet contemporary challenges,”

The department, he stated, represents a bridge between the Nigerian Army and the general civil society, while adding that its was meant to cultivate the cooperation of the civil society in the achievement of its assigned tasks.

Ihejirika stated that the department was also to bring the needs and ideas of the civil society to the notice of the army chief, so that a common ground could be reached for the achievement of success.

“The Nigeria Army, in its civil military relations efforts, have done a lot in winning the hearts and minds of the people, especially in crisis areas. Examples of these include the reconstruction and rehabilitation of buildings destroyed during the ethnic crisis that took place in Ayakoromo, in Delta State sometimes in 2011 by the COAS, the reconstruction of the bridge over River Rima in Sokoto State after the bridge there was swept away by flood.

These and many other projects carried out by the Nigeria Army, under the auspices of the COAS, were meant to show the activities of the Nigeria Army in assisting the civil populace when the need arises and to promote its civil military efforts. It is believed that if the civil society groups and other stake holders could work together in harmony and reduce to the barest minimum the issue of insecurity in the country.

“This interactive session was aimed at consolidating on the achievement made so far in the area of cooperation and collaboration between the Nigeria Army and the civil aociety groups as well as other civil stake holders. It is believed that cooperation, collaboration and trust between us will be deepened to the betterment of our nation.

I also believe that the audience here will take full advantage of this opportunity to enrich themselves intellectually, so that at the end of the session, everyone will leave here determined to foster great cooperation and collaboration between our various organisations thereby making our country a better place to live in.”