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The Nigerian Army has explained that soldiers who were recently recalled from institutions of learning are those who did not get the required approval to go to school.
It said personnel, whether officers or soldiers, who wished to further their education, must have put in at least five years’ service, secure genuine admission and apply for NA’s sponsorship.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Nwachukwu Onyema, gave the explanation in an interview with Saturday PUNCH on Friday.
Saturday PUNCH, on May 15, reported exclusively that, following intensified insurgency attacks across the country, particularly in the North, the Nigerian Army had recalled a large number of its personnel studying in civil institutions (universities and polytechnics) across the country.
Quoting a leaked memo by the Nigerian Army Headquarters, Department of Army Training, Abuja dated May 11, this newspaper further reported that the Nigerian Army also suspended the sponsorship of personnel in civil institutions with the exemption of students in the final year.
Our correspondent had sought to know from Onyema the level of compliance, how many of the soldiers had reported and how long they would be around before returning to school.
But the spokesman, who did not give the level of compliance, insisted that only those who went to school illegally were recalled.
He said, “Nigerian Army’s policy on academic progression of personnel is very clear.
“Personnel of the NA, whether officers or soldiers, who wish to further their education must have been in service for a period of not less than five years, get genuine admission in the institution of interest and apply for Nigerian Army sponsorships.
“The applications are assessed and the applicants undergo interview session before a board constituted at the Army Headquarters level.
“An aggregate of those who succeeded are authorised and released to proceed to school. Anything short of this is illegitimate.
“Any personnel recalled did not get appropriate release by the Nigerian Army.”
Contrary to Onyema’s explanation however, the memo seen by Saturday PUNCH indicated that the Nigeria Army recalled all personnel studying in civil institutions with the exemption of final year students.
The memo also announced the suspension of NA sponsorships.
The memo was signed by Brig. Gen. I. A. Ajose on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and was titled ‘Exemption of Ex Boys (NMS) from Personnel Affected by Directive on Suspension of NA Sponsorship to Civil Institutions.’
The memo with Ref. No. AHQ DA/G7/230/164 was addressed to the Ministry of Defence, Office of the National Security Adviser, Defence Headquarters, and Nigerian Defence Academy.
The other army formations the memo was sent to are: National Defence College, Abuja; Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State; Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Lagos; Defence Intelligence Agency, Abuja; Defence Space Administration; Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria; and the headquarters of the Training and Doctrine Command.
The memo cited three earlier documents with Ref. Nos. AHQ DAPP/G5/220/16, dated March 10, 2021 (A); AHQ DAT/G7/230/164, dated March 15, 2021 (B); and AHQ DAT/G7/230/164, dated April 28, 2021 (C).
“References A-C conveyed directives for the recall of all NA personnel studying in civil institutions as well as the suspension of NA sponsorships, with the exemption of final year students. Consequently, I am directed to respectfully inform you that the directive does not include Ex Boys (NMS). Grateful (sic) treat and acknowledge,” the memo stated.
