There are indications that the Nigerian Army may be currently experiencing an acute shortage of manpower, due to the high number of those who voluntarily retired.


It was gathered that one of the units badly hit by the development was the Mechanical Engineering Corps.


The PUNCH had reported that over 1,008 soldiers resigned from the Nigerian Army in the last four years.


According to the report, in 2023, the Nigerian Army approved the retirement of no fewer than 59 soldiers.


Earlier in 2022, a total of 261 soldiers resigned; in 2021, 127 resigned, and 365 resigned in 2020.


In August this year, 196 soldiers resigned from the Army.


However, to fill the vacancy, it was gathered that the army was planning to re-engage discharged soldiers.


In a memo dated October 16, 2024, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent, the mechanical corps lamented that huge numbers of soldiers resigned from the unit.


The memo signed by Lt Col A. Muhammed urged all commanding officers to reach out to discharged soldiers in the area of responsibilities.


It partly read: “The deployment of technical manpower is essential for effective and efficient equipment support in the field which is based on trades/expertise of technicians. NAEME is currently experiencing an acute shortage of manpower.


Reacting to the report, the Army spokesperson, Maj Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, said the service was by conscription.



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Earlier in 2022, a total of 261 soldiers resigned; in 2021, 127 resigned, and 365 resigned in 2020.


In August this year, 196 soldiers resigned from the Army.


Reacting to the report, the Army spokesperson, Maj Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, said the service was by conscription


However, to fill the vacancy, it was gathered that the army was planning to re-engage discharged soldiers.


In a memo dated October 16, 2024, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent, the mechanical corps lamented that huge numbers of soldiers resigned from the unit.


The memo signed by Lt Col A. Muhammed urged all commanding officers to reach out to discharged soldiers in the area of responsibility


It partly read: “The deployment of technical manpower is essential for effective and efficient equipment support in the field which is based on trades/expertise of technicians. NAEME is currently experiencing an acute shortage of manpower.


“The dearth of manpower in the Corps is further compounded by the large number of voluntarily discharged soldiers in recent years. Consequently, I am directed to request Comds/COs to reach out to discharged skilled soldiers in their AOR who are willing to be re-engaged to the NA on a contract basis.


“I am to add that names of discharged personnel willing to be re-engaged should be forwarded to this Headquarters NLT 19 Oct 24 using the attached proforma. Grateful to treat and acknowledge.”


Nwachukwu did not pick up calls put through to him and had yet to respond to the message sent to him on the issue.



The Punchng.com