The Nigerian Army has condemned a recent call by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) urging Igbo youths to boycott the ongoing Army recruitment exercise.
In a statement released by the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the military described IPOB’s appeal as the desperate attempt of a dying group that seeks to sow division and undermine national unity.
The statement reaffirmed the patriotism and commitment of South Eastern youths, noting their consistent participation in military and paramilitary recruitment programs, including the ongoing 88 Regular Recruits Intake (RRI) exercise.
According to the Army, the South East has witnessed an encouraging turnout of applicants, despite IPOB’s baseless threats.
Major General Nwachukwu praised the region’s youths for their dedication to national service, highlighting their prominent participation in recent commissioning exercises at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).
He emphasized that the South East has always been a stronghold of loyal and professional military personnel, in stark contrast to IPOB’s “unpatriotic and dissident elements.”
The Army’s statement condemned IPOB’s destructive activities, accusing the group of contributing to the economic ruin of the region. IPOB’s enforcement of illegal sit-at-home orders and involvement in kidnappings and killings, according to the military, have caused immense suffering for the very people they claim to represent.
The Army described the latest statement from IPOB as a veiled threat aimed at intimidating the region’s youth, urging them to prioritize their futures by pursuing careers in the military and other noble professions.
Nwachukwu also pointed to the Army’s successes in restoring peace to the South East, crediting the bravery of Southeastern soldiers in the fight against IPOB’s militant factions.
He characterized the group’s latest propaganda as a sign of desperation, calling on youths to reject the group’s destructive influence.
“The Nigerian Army remains a beacon of hope, offering avenues for self-advancement, honor, and service to the nation,” the statement concluded, encouraging Igbo youths to ignore IPOB’s “last kicks” and focus on their dreams and aspirations.
The Army’s stern rebuke comes amid increased efforts to bolster recruitment and strengthen national unity across Nigeria.
LV