By Emmanuel Nduka
The Nigerian Army has announced plans to recruit and train an additional 28,000 soldiers in a major expansion of its fighting force as the military steps up efforts to confront terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats across the country.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, disclosed the move on Friday in Abuja during a press briefing ahead of the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration, saying the increase in manpower is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the Army’s operational effectiveness.
Represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Bamidele Alabi, the Army chief said the establishment of a new recruit training depot at Amasiri Edda has significantly expanded the service’s training capacity.
According to him, the new facility is now the Army’s third recruit training institution, providing the capacity to absorb and train thousands of additional personnel needed to reinforce ongoing military operations nationwide.
“Manpower is as important as the equipment required to fight insecurity,” Shaibu said. “By establishing another training depot at Amasiri Edda, we have expanded our recruitment and training capacity. This will enable the Nigerian Army to recruit and train an additional 28,000 troops to help tackle insecurity across the country.”
Beyond increasing troop strength, the Army said it is also restructuring its operational formations by creating additional brigades and units to address deployment gaps and respond more effectively to emerging security challenges.
Shaibu noted that the service has continued to modernise its operations through the acquisition of advanced combat platforms, operational support equipment and strategic partnerships designed to enhance battlefield effectiveness.
He added that attention has equally been directed towards improving soldiers’ welfare, recognising acts of gallantry and carrying out extensive infrastructure development projects across military formations nationwide.
Reviewing his seven months in office, the Army chief said the service has recorded significant progress in operational performance, infrastructure development, manpower expansion, professionalism and civil-military relations.
He said his leadership is driven by a vision of transforming the Nigerian Army into “a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force” capable of effectively carrying out its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency security framework.
According to him, the Army’s “Soldier-First” philosophy places the welfare of personnel and their families at the centre of its operational strategy, describing motivated troops as critical to mission success.
Shaibu further revealed that the military is refining its deployment strategies while leveraging modern technology as a force multiplier to accelerate operations against criminal elements across the country.
He maintained that troops remain actively engaged in multiple theatres of operation and have continued to degrade the capabilities of Boko Haram, ISWAP, armed bandits, kidnappers, separatist groups and other violent criminal networks.
The Army chief also assured Nigerians that military operations would continue to be conducted professionally, in strict adherence to the rules of engagement and with respect for human rights.
He also announced the commencement of activities marking the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration, which is themed, “Protecting the Nation and Serving the People: A Way Forward for the Nigerian Army.”
Calling for sustained public support, Shaibu urged Nigerians to continue collaborating with the military and other security agencies in the collective effort to restore peace and security across the country.
“This Army belongs to every Nigerian,” he said. “Let us all remain patriotic and committed to the ideals of peace, unity and national development as we work together to defeat insecurity,” he added.
