Fight Against Insecurity Intensifies As Army Announces Recruitment Of 24,000 Soldiers

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has unveiled an ambitious plan to recruit and train up to 24,000 new soldiers as part of efforts to reinforce the Nigerian Army’s operational capacity amid growing security threats across the country.

The development was disclosed on Wednesday in a post on X by counter-insurgency analyst, Zagazola Makama.

General Shaibu reportedly made the announcement during an operational tour of the Army’s 1 Division in Kaduna, where he addressed officers from the ranks of second lieutenant to lieutenant colonel.

According to him, the recruitment drive is part of the Army’s broader strategy to expand manpower, enhance readiness, and strengthen troops’ presence in critical operational zones.

He revealed that three newly approved training facilities endorsed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will initially train 12,000 recruits within six months. However, capacity could be doubled to 24,000 if two batches are run simultaneously.

Shaibu stated that the training centres are strategically located to produce well-prepared soldiers equipped with modern warfare capabilities, improved weapon handling proficiency, tactical intelligence, and combat readiness.

He assured that the emphasis will go beyond quantity, stressing that the Army is committed to delivering high-level training designed to instill strong leadership values, discipline, and operational excellence.

“We are not just increasing numbers; we are building highly capable soldiers. The ‘Soldier First’ concept remains our priority. Welfare, training and operational support will continue to improve,” he assured.

The Army Chief also urged senior officers to mentor the incoming personnel to uphold professionalism, discipline, and the core values of the Nigerian Army.

The recruitment initiative is expected to significantly boost troop strength, enhance deployment efficiency in high-threat regions, and improve the military’s ability to respond swiftly to emerging security challenges.

During his visit, General Shaibu also interacted with field commanders on logistics, manpower development, welfare initiatives, and ongoing operations across the North West and other security theatres.

The move comes as Nigeria continues to battle banditry, terrorism, militancy, and other forms of insecurity affecting multiple regions of the country.