The Nigerian Army has announced the recruitment and training of an additional 28,000 troops as it expands its force to combat insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and other security threats across the country.
Speaking through Nigerian Army Major General Bamidele Alabi, Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu said the employment drive follows the establishment of a third recruit training depot at Amasiri Edda in Ebonyi State.
“Manpower is as important as the equipment required to fight insecurity,” Shaibu stated.
“With this action, the Nigerian Army is expected to recruit and train an additional 28,000 troops to help stem the tide of insecurity across the country.”
The army is also creating new brigades and units, reviewing its force structure, and acquiring advanced tactical solutions to bolster operational readiness.
“We are also improving our deployment strategies and employing modern technology as a force multiplier in our efforts to quickly degrade all forms of criminality across the country,” he said.
Shaibu noted that the armed forces remain engaged in operations against the jihadist militant groups Boko Haram and ISWAP, bandits, kidnappers, as well as other separatist groups and armed organizations, while emphasizing that military operations will continue to follow rules of engagement and human rights obligations.
The strategy’s confirmation came ahead of the weeklong Nigerian Army Day Celebration, which includes the African Land Forces Forum 2026, bringing together military leaders from across the continent alongside an international defense exhibition.
