By Joy Odor Reportcircle News
The Nigerian Army has closed the year with a decisive show of force this time not on the battlefield, but on the parade ground in Zaria injecting 3,439 newly trained soldiers into its operational ranks amid rising security demands.
At the historic Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria, the recruits of the 89 Regular Intake formally crossed from civilians to soldiers after completing six months of intensive military training.
Their Passing Out Parade marked not just the end of training, but the beginning of frontline responsibility in a country confronting complex domestic and transnational threats.
Reviewing the parade as Special Guest of Honour, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu (NAM), delivered a blunt charge: loyalty, discipline and professionalism are no longer optional they are the price of service.
Before a gathering of senior officers, traditional rulers and government representatives, the recruits demonstrated the discipline, cohesion and combat skills drilled into them since their arrival at the Depot.
The COAS described the parade as a visible proof of perseverance and mental resilience, saying the soldiers had been moulded to meet the highest standards of military conduct.
Their induction, he noted, significantly boosts the Army’s manpower at a time when sustained troop strength remains critical to national security operations across multiple theatres.
Lieutenant General Shaibu did not mince words about the challenges ahead. Nigeria, he said, is facing evolving security threats that demand a professional, combat-ready force capable of swift and decisive action.
The addition of 3,439 soldiers, according to him, strengthens the Army’s operational depth and reinforces its constitutional responsibility to protect the nation’s territorial integrity and the lives of its citizens.
“You have been entrusted with a sacred duty,” he told the recruits. “I have no doubt that you will rise to the challenges ahead and serve with honour, courage and professionalism.”
Beyond combat readiness, the Army chief placed heavy emphasis on character.
He reminded the new soldiers that the Oath of Allegiance binds them to both civil and military laws, warning that misconduct and indiscipline would not be tolerated.
Respect for human rights, integrity in operations and loyalty to constituted authority, he stressed, remain the foundation of professional soldiering and the Army’s public trust.
“Avoid any act that may tarnish the image of the Nigerian Army or the nation,” he cautioned, urging the recruits to carry themselves with dignity in every deployment.
The COAS also paid tribute to Depot Nigerian Army, describing it as the bedrock of the Army’s training system since its establishment in 1924.
He assured that the institution would continue to receive strong support in logistics, infrastructure and personnel welfare to maintain its training standards.
Commendation was extended to the Commandant, instructors and staff of the Depot for their role in shaping the new soldiers into disciplined professionals ready for field operations.
Lieutenant General Shaibu expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued backing of the Nigerian Army, as well as to the Emir of Zazzau, Mallam Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani and other security agencies for their cooperation and support.
As the final salute was taken and the parade ground cleared, the message was unmistakable: these recruits are no longer trainees they are soldiers heading into a demanding national assignment.
With 3,439 new boots on the ground, the Nigerian Army has reinforced its ranks.
The real test, the COAS reminded them, begins now on the frontlines, where loyalty, discipline and professionalism will define both their careers and the nation’s security.
