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Southeast Youth Defy IPOB Warning as Over 10,000 Apply for Nigerian Army Recruitment

Southeast Youth Defy IPOB Warning as Over 10,000 Apply for Nigerian Army Recruitment
By Zagazola Makama
In a significant demonstration of patriotism, more than 10,000 youths from the Southeast geopolitical zone have applied to join the Nigerian Army as part of the ongoing 89 Regular Recruits Intake (RRI), defying a recent controversial press release issued by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
This remarkable surge in applications from the five Southeastern states Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo comes less than 48 hours after IPOB issued a strongly worded statement discouraging Igbo youths from enlisting in the Army. The separatist group claimed that the Nigerian Army exploits Igbo recruits and sacrifices them in conflicts primarily located in the North, warning that those who join would “return in disgrace or not return at all.”
However, the sentiments expressed by the youth across the region tell a different story. From Onitsha to Nsukka, Aba to Owerri, and Umuahia to Abakaliki, many young individuals are embracing the opportunity to serve in the Nigerian Army, viewing it as a pathway to national service and personal development.
Data gathered prominent cybercafés across the Southeast, where applications for recruitment are submitted online. Inside a popular cybercafé on Ogui Road in Enugu, Ifeanyi Eze, a 19-year-old applicant from Oji River, stated, “I don’t believe in IPOB’s lies. My brother is in the Army, and he has not only been promoted but has also traveled for United Nations Peacekeeping Missions. He supports our family. I want to follow that path.” Chinaza Ugochukwu from Abia State added, “It’s a job that gives pride and purpose. Serving Nigeria is not a crime. IPOB doesn’t feed us. The Army can give us a future.” Nkemakolam Okafor, an applicant from Orlu, remarked, “It’s not just about joining the military; it’s about reclaiming our dignity and our stake in Nigeria. We’ve been misled for too long. I’m Igbo and proud, but I’m also Nigerian.”
Reliable information available to Zagazola confirms that the 89 Regular Recruits Intake, which commenced online registration just ten days ago, has already recorded over 87,000 applications from across Nigeria, with more than 10,000 applications from the Southeast alone. This number is expected to rise further before the application deadline, indicating that Igbo youth view the Nigerian Army not as an adversary but as a platform for career development, social mobility, and national service. The overwhelming number of applicants from the Southeast contradicts IPOB’s portrayal of the Nigerian Army as antagonistic towards the Igbo people and reflects a growing rejection of separatist propaganda and a renewed commitment to national service, patriotism, and unity.
A Military Without Borders
Contrary to IPOB’s claims, the Nigerian Army operates as a national institution without ethnic, religious, or sectional bias. It serves as a melting pot of Nigeria’s diversity, united by discipline, merit, and loyalty to the Constitution.
The assertion that Igbo soldiers are marginalized or targeted within the Army is a blatant mischaracterization. In reality, numerous Igbo officers have risen through the ranks to attain high positions of authority, including Major Generals, General Officers Commanding (GOCs), Commandants of military institutions, and Principal Staff Officers at Army Headquarters and the Defence Headquarters. Notably, two Major Generals of Igbo origin, who are siblings, currently hold prominent roles in the Nigerian Army. This serves as clear evidence that Igbo people have equal opportunities for career growth and leadership within the Army.
Additionally, several Igbo officers have served as Chief of Army Staff (COAS), the highest-ranking position in the Nigerian Army, and others have held the position of Chief of Policy and Plans (Deputy COAS), which is crucial for shaping military strategies and operations. If the Army were truly discriminatory towards Igbo people, these high-ranking positions would not be occupied by Igbo officers. Furthermore, the most senior officer responsible for enlisting new officers into the Nigerian Army is an Igbo officer, who also oversees personnel postings and promotions, further proving that ethnicity is not a barrier to career progression in the military.
IPOB’s Misinformation and the Danger of Silence
It is vital to recognize the sacrifices made by the brave men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces, who risk their lives daily to combat terrorism and insurgency throughout the country. The Nigerian Army has been at the forefront of the fight against Boko Haram and other terrorist organizations, often under challenging conditions. Claims made by IPOB that soldiers are sent to their deaths or treated as expendable are not only false but also disrespectful to the courage and commitment of the armed forces.
Furthermore, IPOB’s assertion that the Nigerian Army is secretly recruiting soldiers for a war against “Sahelian nations” on behalf of “Western imperialists” is baseless and lacks factual evidence. The Nigerian military’s operations in the Sahel are part of a broader strategy to ensure regional stability and security, crucial for the safety of all Nigerians, including those in the Southeast. It is disheartening to see IPOB attempt to manipulate these complex issues to incite fear among the youth.
The call for Igbo youths to abandon military service in favor of farming is an irresponsible and misleading suggestion that undermines the contributions of many who have chosen to serve their country. Service in the armed forces is a noble profession that offers opportunities for personal growth, education, and leadership. The narrative that joining the Nigerian Army leads to disgrace or demise is damaging and perpetuates misinformation that can deter young people from pursuing honorable careers in defense of their nation. It is crucial for the youth to understand that the Nigerian Army is not an enemy but a protector of the nation’s unity. Joining the military is a way to contribute positively to society, stand against the forces that threaten peace and security, and build a future where all ethnicities can coexist harmoniously.
While IPOB portrays the military as a hindrance to Igbo aspirations, the reality is that the Nigerian Army has served as a ladder for success for thousands of Southeastern officers and soldiers. Many have attended advanced military academies worldwide, participated in international peacekeeping missions, and returned home to contribute to their communities. The Army offers structured promotions, access to higher education, and an opportunity.
Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region
Southeast Youth Defy IPOB Warning as Over 10,000 Apply for Nigerian Army Recruitment
News
ISWAP evacuates 15 bodies, abandons VBIED after failed attack on New Marte

ISWAP evacuates 15 bodies, abandons VBIED after failed attack on New Marte
By: Zagazola Makama
At least 15 dead bodies of suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters were hastily evacuated by their comrades after a failed midnight assault on New Marte in Borno State.
Zagazola Makama gathered from impeccable sources that the insurgents, on about 20 motorcycles had launched a coordinated attack on troops in New Marte at about 1:35 a.m. on Tuesday. They arrived on motorcycles and with a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), apparently aimed at breaching the battalion’s defences.

However, the combined firepower of Nigerian troops under Operation Hadin Kai, supported by the Nigerian Air Force Air Component, overwhelmed the attackers. The VBIED, meant to cause maximum damage, was abandoned by the terrorists as they fled under sustained fire and aerial bombardment.
According to intelligence sources, the retreating insurgents made desperate efforts to evacuate their dead and wounded, managing to flee with at least 15 corpses of their fighters while leaving behind several destroyed motorcycles and heavy blood trails at the New Marte airstrip.

“They came in like a swarm, heavily armed, and used a VBIED to lead the charge. But once our troops responded and the air component came in, they were completely overwhelmed. They abandoned the VBIED and began dragging their casualties into the bush. From what we tracked, at least 15 bodies were evacuated. It was a major blow to them.”the sources said.
The source added that aerial surveillance and ground exploitation confirmed that several motorcycles used for the assault were destroyed in the process, while others were left behind due to the rapid counter-offensive.
Two Nigerian soldiers lost their lives during the encounter, while one Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle sustained tyre damage and a gun truck was partially hit.
In a related incident, troops also foiled an attempted incursion by ISWAP fighters on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Kumshe, where the terrorists were again repelled after a fierce exchange of fire. Some terrorists were believed to have been neutralised during the encounter.
ISWAP evacuates 15 bodies, abandons VBIED after failed attack on New Marte
News
FRSC staff kidnapped in Jos

FRSC staff kidnapped in Jos
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forces say it has launched a search-and-rescue operation to free a kidnapped female staff of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Jos South Local Government Area of the state.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that on May 26 at about 5:30 a.m., armed hoodlums invaded the resident in Rantya community and abducted one Kate Jonathan Akpabio, who is a staff member of the FRSC in Jos.
Army troops and other security agencies were mobilised to the scene upon receiving the distress call. A preliminary investigation confirmed that the assailants took the victim to an unknown destination before security forces arrived.
FRSC staff kidnapped in Jos
News
Gunmen kill two, injure three in fresh Bokkos attack

Gunmen kill two, injure three in fresh Bokkos attack
By: Zagazola Makama
Atleast two persons killed while three others injured during an attack on Mbor village, Mushere District, Bokkos Local Government Area of the state.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred in the early hours of May 26, when gunmen stormed the village at about 12:50 a.m. and opened fire indiscriminately.
The sources said as a result of the attack, two persons Jephthah Gretchen, and Juliet Jephthah, were shot and killed on the spot,” he said.
“Three others, identified as Mary Ishaku, Ishaku Ngumut and Nanbam Sunday, sustained varying degrees of injuries.” he added.
The injured victims were rushed to Luna Hospital for medical attention.
The corpses of the deceased were released to their families for burial after relatives declined a request for post-mortem examination.
The sources said reinforcement has been deployed to the community to restore calm and track down the perpetrators.
Gunmen kill two, injure three in fresh Bokkos attack
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