TheCable

The Nigerian army has withdrawn its personnel studying in various non-military schools, TheCable can report. 

The development follows a new directive by Ibrahim Attahiru, the chief of army staff.

Soldiers and officers of the Nigerian army who wish to further their study are usually allowed to do so.

But the new directive comes as the military needs more personnel in tackling Nigeria’s growing insecurity, particularly insurgency and banditry.

A senior officer who informed TheCable of the development on Saturday said: “The army currently lacks adequate manpower especially in the fight against Boko Haram, so the chief (of staff) directed that we bring all of the personnel back to their units first, and then, they are subsequently deployed to the frontline.”

Mohammed Yerima, army spokesperson, also confirmed the development to TheCable, saying that the security agency can withdraw its personnel from school at any time, especially during a war.

He, however, said the directive does not affect personnel who are already in their final year of study. 

“Going to study is a privilege. When you come to the army, we take you to your point of qualification. To allow you to go to school is just to give you welfare to go and have additional knowledge,” he said.

“When there is war, we will withdraw anybody from anywhere. But this time, the chief of army staff was magnanimous enough to allow those in the final year to stay.

“When there is war, who is thinking of school? That is the position.”

For over a decade, the army has continued to fight Boko Haram insurgents in the north-east, while many soldiers are also involved in about 15 military operations across the country.

It also ensures that soldiers and officers attend routine courses at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Kaduna.