Nigerian Army Warns IPOB Against Discouraging Eastern Youths from Recruitment, IPOB Reiterates Call for Civil Resistance.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, expressed deep concern over IPOB’s recent media campaign, which he described as a “reckless and misguided attempt to undermine national unity and cohesion.” He noted that IPOB's call for youths of Eastern Region to avoid the 88th Regular Recruits Intake (RRI) was a deliberate attempt to sow division.
Maj.-Gen. Nwachukwu praised the commitment of South Eastern youths, who have consistently filled their quotas in various military recruitments, including the recent Direct Regular Cadet commissioning at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). He commended their patriotism and encouraged them to continue contributing to the nation’s progress.
“The Nigerian Army is proud of the contributions of Eastern youths to the armed forces, civil service, and the nation at large. Their participation has been unwavering, and despite IPOB's press release, turnout for the ongoing recruitment has been impressive," Nwachukwu stated.
However, IPOB’s response presents a different perspective. The movement, which has long championed the self-determination of the Biafran people, maintains that its call to boycott military recruitment is rooted in a broader resistance to the systemic marginalization of Ndi Igbo and the continued repression of their political and cultural rights within the Nigerian state.
IPOB spokespersons argue that recruiting Igbo youths into the Nigerian military serves to perpetuate the oppressive system that has failed to address the legitimate grievances of the Biafran people. They assert that the Nigerian military has often been used as a tool of suppression against those advocating for the rights and autonomy of Biafrans, particularly during peaceful protests calling for justice and the release of IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
For IPOB, calls for civil disobedience, such as the sit-at-home orders, are seen as a non-violent form of resistance designed to draw attention to these injustices. IPOB has consistently denied involvement in violent activities, stating that its struggle is focused on protecting the lives and rights of Biafrans in the face of increasing military repression. The sit-at-home orders, while economically disruptive, are regarded by many in the Southeast as a necessary sacrifice in the fight for dignity, justice, and self-determination.
The Nigerian Army’s characterization of IPOB as a group responsible for economic devastation fails to address the deeper socio-political causes of the agitation, such as years of economic marginalization, infrastructural neglect, and political exclusion faced by the Southeast. IPOB leaders argue that the economic challenges in the region are not caused by the sit-at-home orders but by a history of federal neglect, exacerbated by the government’s militarized response to the legitimate demands of the Biafran people.
In this context, IPOB believes that the military's recruitment drive is an attempt to draw more Igbo youths into a system that has failed to serve their interests. The movement views its actions as part of a broader resistance to the continued oppression and exploitation of the Biafran people by the Nigerian state. Despite the Army’s efforts to portray IPOB negatively, the group remains committed to its cause of self-determination and continues to command significant support across the Southeast.
While the Nigerian Army urges Igbo youths to pursue their aspirations in the military, IPOB encourages them to resist being drawn into what it sees as the continued militarization of the region and suppression of their right to self-determination.
Nwachukwu’s concluding remarks, which described IPOB’s actions as the “last wails of a failing group,” were met with criticism from IPOB supporters, who argue that the struggle for Biafra is far from over. They emphasize that the movement’s message continues to resonate with many in the Southeast, particularly those who believe that true peace and security can only be achieved through addressing the root causes of their long-standing grievances, rather than through further militarization.
While the Nigerian Army remains committed to recruiting youths from the Southeast to strengthen its defense forces, IPOB's resistance highlights the deep divisions that persist in the region. As both sides remain resolute in their positions, the future of Ndi Igbo and their role within Nigeria remains a central issue in the ongoing struggle for justice, equity, and self-determination.
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