Army Recruitment: Yobe Committee Chair Raises Alarm over Low Candidate Turnout
By Ahmed Isah
The Chairman, Yobe State Recruitment Committee, Brig.-Gen. Dahiru Abdul-Salam (Rtd), has expressed serious concern over the low number of candidates reporting for the ongoing Nigerian Army recruitment exercise.
Abdul-Salam, who is also Special Adviser to Gov. Mai Mala Buni on Security Matters, spoke after inspecting the Nigerian Army 90 Regular Recruit Intake screening at the 241 Recce Model Battalion, Nguru.
He disclosed that out of 2,431 candidates shortlisted from Yobe State, only 1,605 had reported for documentation as at the time of the exercise.
According to him, the shortfall of over 800 candidates was worrisome and could adversely affect the state’s chances of filling its allocated quota in the Nigerian Army.
The committee chairman stressed that the trend underscored the urgent need for sustained sensitisation and awareness among youths on the importance of participating fully in the recruitment process.
He said many qualified youths might be missing the opportunity due to poor information flow, misconceptions or lack of commitment to the process.
He later handed over medical consumables provided by the Yobe State Government to the formation, as part of efforts to support security operations in the state.
In his remarks, the Director, Recruitment Department, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Adamu Baba Umar, described the exercise as transparent and well coordinated.
Umar urged recruitment officials to sustain the tempo to ensure credible and hitch-free screening.
The screening exercise is expected to end on Dec. 17, 2025.
