The Nigerian Army has issued a strong warning to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for their unpatriotic call urging youths in the Southeast to abandon the current recruitment drive for the military.
In a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, denounced this call as a “brazen yet futile attempt to undermine national unity and cohesion.”
He described the reckless statement circulating in the media, which discourages youth participation in the Nigerian Army’s 88 Regular Recruits Intake (RRI), as misguided.
Nwachukwu emphasized that the youth from the Southeast have consistently shown their dedication and patriotism by fulfilling their recruitment quotas in various military and paramilitary services, as well as contributing significantly to federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
He noted that, contrary to IPOB’s unfounded threats, the registration for the 88 RRI has seen a promising number of applicants from the region. He also highlighted that Southeast youths successfully occupied slots during the recent commissioning of Direct Regular Cadets at the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).
The General reiterated that the Southeast remains a crucial source of loyal and skilled personnel within the Nigerian military, contrasting this with IPOB, which he labeled as a group of terrorists and militias that have led the region into economic decline.
Nwachukwu criticized IPOB’s enforcement of illegal sit-at-home orders that have stifled local businesses and their involvement in kidnappings and violence that have inflicted suffering on the very communities they claim to represent.
He characterized the latest IPOB statement as a veiled threat aimed at intimidating the youth, whose futures they are jeopardizing for their own selfish motives.
The Army spokesman made it clear that IPOB has only intensified the challenges faced by the Southeast, calling it a destructive force. He urged the youth to reject IPOB’s tactics and pursue their aspirations within the military, a profession that prioritizes merit over ethnicity, religion, or creed.
Nwachukwu highlighted the Nigerian military’s commendable efforts in restoring peace in the region and countering the threats posed by IPOB’s terrorist factions, noting that recent successes in combating these criminals reflect the strength and commitment of Southeast personnel serving in the military.
He dismissed IPOB’s propaganda as the desperate cries of a failing organization trying to cling to relevance as it loses its influence.
The General called on the youth of the Southeast and the Igbo community to remain steadfast and not allow anyone to undermine their dreams and rights. He condemned IPOB’s actions as causing only pain, economic hardship, and fear in the region.
“The Nigerian Army stands as a beacon of hope, providing opportunities for personal growth, honor, and national service,” he concluded. (NAN)
