Enugu, Nigeria – Brigadier-General Chima Ekeator has debunked circulating claims that soldiers of Igbo origin are deliberately assigned to frontline combat roles more than others. His statement comes amid growing concern over the Southeast’s declining participation in the Nigerian Army’s recruitment exercises.
As reported by Vanguard Newspaper, the Army is alarmed at the significant gap in enlistment numbers between regions. For example, while Kaduna State has already produced over 3,000 applicants in the ongoing 2025 recruitment process, Enugu State has yet to reach the 100 mark.
Speaking during a town hall engagement in Enugu, Brig. Gen. Ekeator, who leads the Army’s 2025 Recruitment Enlightenment Team, addressed key stakeholders including local government leaders, traditional rulers, and community heads on the pressing need to improve recruitment figures in the region.
He explained that the Southeast routinely underperforms in filling its designated recruitment slots. According to him, “Enugu State was granted approximately 200 slots, yet fewer than 100 candidates met the requirements due to insufficient applications. This trend persists across other states in the Southeast, resulting in missed opportunities for our youth.”
Ekeator warned that if this situation continues, the Army might be forced to leave recruitment positions unoccupied due to a lack of eligible candidates from the region.
He also tackled long-standing rumors suggesting Igbo soldiers are purposefully placed in high-risk combat zones. The Army general firmly rejected these claims as baseless. “There are a lot of falsehoods out there, stating that the Igbo are being killed because they are the first to be sent to the battlefield. These things are not true, Igbo soldiers are not being sent to die first in warfront, after all, Igbo officers hold strategic leadership positions within the Nigerian Army, including Major General Chibueze Ogbuabor, who oversees equipment logistics,” he stated.
In his remarks, Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Dr. Lloyd Ekweremadu, acknowledged that the state has long struggled to meet its recruitment targets, despite repeated awareness efforts.
He stressed the importance of using modern, youth-focused methods to appeal to younger audiences. “Today’s youth require tailored communication strategies. We must adapt our outreach to align with their preferences,” he advised.
