The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has presided over the passing-out parade of more than 3,000 newly trained soldiers in Ebonyi State, marking another milestone in the Nigerian Army’s efforts to strengthen its manpower and enhance national security.
The recruits successfully completed months of rigorous military training designed to prepare them for service in the Nigerian Army and equip them with the skills required to tackle the country’s evolving security challenges.
The colourful passing-out ceremony, held at a military training facility in Ebonyi, featured military drills, tactical demonstrations and inspections, attended by senior military officers, government officials, families of the recruits and other invited guests.
Addressing the new soldiers, the Chief of Army Staff congratulated them on successfully completing their training, describing the achievement as the beginning of a demanding but honourable career in the service of the nation.
He urged the recruits to uphold the core values of the Nigerian Army, including discipline, professionalism, courage, loyalty and integrity, while remaining committed to protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty and defending its territorial integrity.
The Army Chief reminded the newly enlisted personnel that the country’s security environment remains complex, with threats ranging from terrorism and insurgency to banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and other forms of criminality.
He stressed that the Nigerian Army expects the recruits to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during training with discipline and professionalism while carrying out future operational assignments.
According to him, the successful graduation of the new intake reflects the Army’s continued commitment to building a highly trained, combat-ready and professional force capable of responding effectively to emerging security threats across the country.
The training programme exposed the recruits to various aspects of military service, including weapons handling, physical fitness, field tactics, leadership development, military ethics, human rights principles and civil-military relations.
Military authorities noted that emphasis was also placed on discipline, teamwork and respect for the rule of law to ensure that the recruits are prepared to operate effectively in both conventional and asymmetric security operations.
The passing-out of the new soldiers comes as the Nigerian military continues to intensify operations against insurgents, bandits and other criminal groups in different parts of the country.
Security analysts say the addition of more than 3,000 trained personnel is expected to boost the operational capacity of the Nigerian Army and strengthen ongoing efforts to combat insecurity nationwide.
The Chief of Army Staff also expressed appreciation to the instructors and training personnel for their dedication in preparing the recruits for military service, urging them to sustain the high standards of training required to maintain the Army’s operational effectiveness.
As the newly graduated soldiers prepare for deployment to various formations and operational theatres across the country, military authorities expressed confidence that they will contribute significantly to ongoing efforts to safeguard lives, protect national assets and preserve Nigeria’s peace, security and territorial integrity.
