The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, has directed the Directorate of Army Recruitment, Resettlement and Reserved to introduce special forces into the training during recruitment as a measure to combat insurgency in every section of the country.
The Director of Army Recruitment, Resettlement and Reserve, Army headquarters, Brigadier General Emmanuel Henry Akpan, disclosed this in Yenagoa on Monday, during a courtesy visit to Governor Douye Diri at the Government House as part of the sensitization visit to Bayelsa State.
General Akpan who also visited the Commander of the 16 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ephraim Essien, said the directorate is moving round the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to ensure that Nigerians who want to join Army are educated on the expectations on the training before the recruitment.
He said the Special Forces training will involve very tough and rugged training that requires men and women who are not only physically but mentally fit.
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He said: “The tour is at the instance of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, and is sequel to his directive as contained in this strategic directive for 2020 that Special Forces Concept should be integrated in all Nigerian Army trainings.
“The special forces training are a very tough and rugged one that requires men and women who are not only physically and medically fit, but mentally very robust to be able to undertake the training. So we are here to tell the people on what they will expect when they come for recruitment.
“The essence of the training is to ensure that every Nigerian Army officer serving and those we intend to recruit into the system can adapt and function efficiently in any operating environment.
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“Let me also report that so far, the people have appreciated all the efforts invested by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations and even in the enlightenment campaign which has made the people aware of what they expect when they come for recruitment.
“We have also been able to tell them that the Nigerian Army of now and the future is no longer the army that was considered for those who never do well in life or dropouts. So much has changed over the years, especially under the watch of Lt General Tukur Buratai.
“The Chief of Army Staff envisioned the army where soldiers will be able to think and fight and also fight and think, it is only soldiers who have that cognitive ability, rationalize issue and then take informed decision with little supervision will be recruited.
“That is why we want to solicit support from the state government in the area of disseminating this information, and supports to our state recruitment offices, so that they will serve the various states better. But most importantly too, to support indigenes of the state who are successful in future recruitments, so that they on their own will know that they are not there individually, but they are also representing the state,” he said.
Governor Douye Diri, while responding, tasked the authority of the Nigerian Army on the need to give Bayelsa its fair share in the recruitment.
