Military lacks power to forcefully recruit Nigerians’

Retired senior military officers have dismissed claims that the Nigerian Army is planning to forcibly conscript citizens aged 18 and above, insisting that such action would be unconstitutional.

The ex-military personnel emphasised that the Army lacked the authority to compel any Nigerian to enlist.

Their reaction followed a viral post alleging that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Waidi Shaibu, had threatened compulsory recruitment for youths who fail to voluntarily enlist.

The Nigerian Army, through its Acting Director of Public Relations, Lt-Col Appolonia Anele, denied the claim in a statement issued last Friday in Abuja. The Army said the post falsely suggested that the COAS planned to introduce forced conscription, describing the information as misleading and intended to cause panic among citizens.

Speaking with Saturday news, former Deputy Director of Defence Administration at Defence Headquarters, Commodore Kunle Olawunmi (retd.), said compulsory recruitment could not occur without legislative approval.

He stated, “You are talking about the military trying to conscript youth into the military. It is not something that the military can do except it goes through the legislative arm. It is a constitutional requirement. It is not going to happen.

Also, technically, Nigeria is not at war. You can only be at war if it is so declared. If you are not at war, why do you want to conscript people into the army?”

Olawunmi added that instead of contemplating forced enlistment, authorities should address internal issues affecting morale and motivation within the military.

Similarly, retired army colonel Yomi Dare said the constitution does not permit the military to recruit anyone by force.

He said, “The military cannot force anyone. This is a matter of the constitution. It will go before the National Assembly, and it will pass all the due processes, and it will become a law, then so be it.

“It is high time that Nigeria sees the military as a service that everyone should be committed to. The military deserves some recognition and respect.”

culled from punch .