- Recalled personnel to be deployed in war against terrorism, banditry and other crimes
By Madu Onuorah
The Nigerian Army has confirmed the recall of its officers and soldiers studying in various civil educational institutions across the country and the cancellation of the sponsorship of all the affected personnel. The institutions include Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education.
The Army has also effected the immediate stoppage of sponsorship of any of its personnel affected by the recall order.
It also dismissed reports that it is planning to reactivate the Army Reserves aimed at bringing back retired personnel towards beefing up troops in the war against terrorism, banditry and other crimes.
Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, confirmed the recall to Global Upfront Newspapers (GUN), saying that the only exception are Army personnel in their final year.
According to General Yerima: “Yes, Nigerian Army personnel studying in civil institutions of higher learning have been recalled.
“The only exception are those in their final year. And if the situation stabilizes, those recalled personnel who wish to continue with their studies can go back.
“Of course, the recalled personnel are reverting back to their duty posts.
In the war situation as we have now, we need all our personnel. But those who are in military institutions of learning are not affected.”
The Army Spokesperson explained that “at the point of entry, it is actually the certificate you had that the Army recognizes. But you are given the privilege of fulfilling your educational ambition if the condition warrants. But when the Army has need of you, you revert back.”
A memo from Department of Training, Nigerian Army Headquarters, Abuja dated May 11, 2021 suspended the sponsorship of personnel in civil institutions with the exemption of students in the final year.
The memo, signed by Brigadier General I. A. Ajose on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, was titled, ‘Exemption of Ex Boys (NMS) from Personnel Affected by Directive on Suspension of NA Sponsorship to Civil Institutions.’
It was referenced AHQ DA/G7/230/164 and addressed to the Ministry of Defence, Office of the National Security Adviser, Defence Headquarters, and Nigerian Defence Academy.
Others institutions who were copied the memo include National Defence College, Abuja; Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State; Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Lagos; Defence Intelligence Agency, Abuja; Defence Space Administration; Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria; and headquarters, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC).
CITING three earlier references – A AHQ DAPP/G5/220/16, dated March 10, 2021); B (AHQ DAT/G7/230/164, dated March 15, 2021); and C (AHQ DAT/G7/230/164, dated April 28, 2021; the memo stated: “References A-C conveyed directives for the recall of all NA personnel studying in civil institutions as well as the suspension of NA sponsorships, with the exemption of final year students.
“Consequently, I am directed to respectfully inform you that the directive does not include Ex Boys (NMS). Grateful (sic) treat and acknowledge.”
General Yerima stated that “the Army has not activated the Reserves and so, no retired personnel has been recalled back to service in pursuit of the war against terrorism or banditry. If that is required, it will be done. But for now, it is not in view.”
World Bank projections released this month of May 2021 through what it called “a collection of development indicators compiled from officially recognized sources,” the Armed Forces of Nigeria has a total personnel of 223,000.
But this number, the World Bank states, comprise of all active military and paramilitary forces personnel that carry arms, including Nigeria Police, Directorate of State Security (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service, National Correctional Service, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.
And for a nation fighting a war against Boko Haram/Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the Northeast; bandit, kidnapping in Northwest, banditry, kidnapping, farmers-hersdmen violence in Northcentral, and farmers-herdsmen violence, kidnapping and seccessionists agitation in the three Southern regions of Nigeria, this number is totally inadequate.
This is especially true as the majority of Police personnel are deployed to Very Important Personality (VIP) protection duties to the detriment of normal protection of the lives and property of the citizens.
Because of the Police abdication of responsibilities as it pursues guard VIP protection duties, the military, especially the Nigerian Army is always mandated to carry out ordinary policing duties.
And for a military and paramilitary forces that has been at war since the advent of the Boko Haram terrorism in 2009, it has increased from 200,000 in 2015 to just 223,000 in 2018.
For Wikipedia, the Nigerian Army currently has over 6,000 officers and 150,000 soldiers, a figure that is grossly inadequate based on Nigeria’s estimated population of 214 million.