No fewer than 4,739 recruits of the 90 Regular Recruits Intake graduated on Saturday from the Depot Nigerian Army in Osogbo, Osun State, as part of efforts to strengthen national security.
Speaking at the passing-out parade, Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu praised the depot for producing disciplined, combat-ready soldiers, noting that it has trained 8,111 recruits to Nigerian Army standards. He said the graduates were transformed from civilians into disciplined personnel equipped with values, ethics, and skills, including counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations.
Shaibu said the recruits are part of the first batch of 28,000 personnel approved by President Bola Tinubu to enhance security. He added that the training depots in Amasiri-Eda, Osogbo, and Zaria are expected to produce 14,000 recruits in two streams, up from the previous annual output of about 12,000.
He warned the new soldiers against violating the Armed Forces’ social media policy, stressing that unauthorized sharing of operational information could lead to disciplinary action, including dismissal. He also urged strict adherence to human rights principles and rules of engagement.
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, represented by Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi, congratulated the recruits and called on the army to help tackle rising political violence, illegal arms proliferation, and crimes linked to illegal mining by establishing military checkpoints at key entry and exit points across the state.
