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Army Denies Nepotism Allegations

The Nigerian army has rejected allegations of favouritism in recruitment, promotion and retirement in the military. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Azubike … Continue reading Army Denies Nepotism Allegations


The Nigerian army has rejected allegations of favouritism in recruitment, promotion and retirement in the military.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Azubike Ihejirika told a news conference in Abuja that officers and men of the Nigerian army have enjoyed a steady rise under his leadership.

He said contrary to claims in some quarters promotion exercise in the army have never been based on ethno-religious consideration but in line with laid down principles of merit, federal character approval from the army council which includes the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

A faceless group had accused General Ihejirika, of putting Igbo officers in key army positions even when they were not qualified for such positions, in addition to providing details of such postings and affected officers.

The group alleged that “there is a new dangerous trend in promotions and recruitment in the Nigerian Army, which should be firmly and promptly checked before it destroys the military and the country.

“This trend is clearly visible in the manner in which the current Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Azubuike Ihejirika, is handling these two important aspects of running an effective army institution, which is very critical to the survival of any state.

“It appears that the Chief of Army Staff is on a specific mission, most probably, sponsored by some sinister dark forces bent on destroying the army and setting the country on the path of serious conflagration. From all indications, General Ihejirika is deliberately and recklessly pursuing a plan to destroy the career of senior non-Igbo officers, while at the same time embarking on a massive recruitment of soldiers of Igbo stock in order to eclipse all other ethnic groups in the Nigerian Army. This is raising serious concern within the army,” the group alleged, among other things.