No fewer than 4,739 recruits of the Nigerian Army’s 90 Regular Recruits Intake officially passed out on Saturday at the Depot Nigerian Army in Osogbo, Osun State, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture.
Speaking during the passing-out parade, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, praised the Osogbo training depot for its consistent contribution to producing disciplined and operationally prepared soldiers.
According to him, the depot has continued to establish itself as one of the Nigerian Army’s foremost training institutions, having successfully trained a total of 8,111 recruits to the required military standards.
He said the accomplishment demonstrates the Army’s growing ability to generate competent personnel capable of supporting ongoing military operations across the country.
Shaibu noted that the recruits had undergone a rigorous transformation process, evolving from civilians into disciplined military personnel equipped with the ethics, values and fighting spirit expected of Nigerian soldiers.
He explained that the revised training curriculum, which places greater emphasis on counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations, had provided the recruits with the foundational skills needed to confront modern security threats.
The Army Chief disclosed that the graduating recruits formed part of the first batch of 28,000 new personnel approved by President Bola Tinubu to strengthen Nigeria’s security forces.
“In this regard, the three training depots in Amasiri-Eda, Osogbo and Zaria are collectively expected to produce 14,000 recruits in two streams, a significant increase from the previous annual output of about 12,000,” Shaibu said.
He also warned the newly enlisted soldiers against violating the Armed Forces’ social media policy, stressing that unauthorised publication of operational information, photographs of military activities or images of sensitive locations amounts to a serious offence.
According to him, any breach of the policy could attract severe disciplinary measures, including dismissal from military service.
“Violations can and will attract disciplinary action, including dismissal from service,” he warned.
Shaibu further urged the soldiers to exercise discipline and professionalism in their use of social media while carrying out their duties in strict compliance with human rights standards and the established rules of engagement.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke congratulated the newly graduated soldiers and urged them to remain committed to the Constitution while placing national interest above personal considerations.
Represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi, the governor commended the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for their dedication to preserving national unity, peace and stability.
Adeleke, however, appealed to the military to assist the state government in tackling the growing wave of political violence across Osun.
He attributed the increasing insecurity to the proliferation of illegal firearms and criminal activities linked to illegal mining operations.
The governor called for the establishment of military checkpoints at strategic entry and exit points across the state to prevent the movement of illegal weapons and curb criminal activities.
According to him, stronger military presence at key locations would help reduce insecurity and enhance public safety ahead of future political activities.
