Nigerian Army to Begin Mass Recruitment in May

To fight the war against terrorism in the ongoing battle the Nigerian army is engaged in with Boko Haram operatives, the Federal Government has granted the armed forces alongside other relevant security agencies the go-ahead to begin mass recruitment.

During the National Security Council meeting in Abuja on Thursday, those in attendance emphasised on the importance for the recruitment.

A top military source intimated that the President issued the order in March following a briefing from Lt. Gen Kenneth Minimah, the Chief of Army Staff, about the on-going operations of the army.

The source, refusing to be named on the basis that he had no instruction to divulge on the  matter,  told PUNCH Newspaper that the army did not commence on the recruitment straightaway because they needed to expand training facilities in different locations in the country.

It was also learnt that the army would commence the enrolment in May 2014.

According to the source, “We have in  the pipeline, the plan to recruit. We are holding it because we want to upgrade our facilities.

“The presidential  directive  to us to recruit was given  in March when the COAS briefed the President. But the  exercise would start next month (May)”

He added that  following the  Boko Haram and other security challenges, the enrollment would now hold twice a year, as against how it used to be held once a year.