Group Alleges Ethnic-Based Denial of Nigerian Army Enlistment for Kaduna Youths
The youth wing of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) has raised concerns over a distressing video featuring four youths seeking enlistment in the Nigerian Army. Alleging ethnic discrimination, the group has appealed to the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff to investigate the matter. Additionally, they have called on the Kaduna state government to establish a committee to thoroughly examine the situation and prevent its recurrence.
In a statement by SOKAPU National Youth Leader John Isaac, the group expressed distress over the humiliation, denial, and arrest faced by the youths during the state screening process. The reasons cited in the video include their inability to speak the Yoruba language and their non-citizenship status in Lagos.
The statement emphasized that the constitution and the Nigerian Military's enlistment criteria do not include linguistic or tribal considerations. It noted that the Kaduna State government has individuals of Yoruba origin in its civil service, highlighting the state's inclusive stance.
The group urged the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Defence Staff to investigate the matter promptly, calling for the immediate release of the young men and their fair participation in the enlistment exercise. They stressed the importance of aligning with the principles afforded to every Nigerian citizen, emphasizing that the unity of the nation transcends ethnic considerations.