"You Killed Them, Now You Want Them to Join the Army?" – Barrister Darlington Questions Nigerian Military’s Approach to Igbo Youths

In a stirring statement that has raised eyebrows across the nation, Barrister Darlington, a prominent human rights lawyer, has fiercely criticized the Nigerian government’s recent call for Igbo youths to join the Nigerian Army, pointing to the ongoing violent confrontations in Imo State and other parts of the Southeast.

“After killing them, calling them IPOB and terrorists, you’re now asking them to join the Nigerian Army?” Darlington exclaimed in a press conference today. “Look at what the military is doing in Imo State and other parts of the Southeast. You’re hunting down Igbo youths, so how do you want them to embrace the idea of serving in the Army?”

His remarks come in the wake of the Nigerian Army's recent recruitment drive, which has urged youths from all regions, including the Southeast, to enlist and help combat insecurity in the country.

Barrister Darlington’s comments are particularly pointed given the ongoing military operations in the Southeast, especially in Imo State, where security forces have been accused of engaging in heavy-handed tactics against suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other separatist groups.

Over the past few years, the military’s actions in the region — which include raids, curfews, and direct confrontations with youths — have been heavily criticized by human rights organizations and local residents, who claim that innocent Igbo youths are disproportionately affected.

Darlington argues that the government's approach towards the Igbo people has created a growing rift between the military and local communities in the Southeast. He emphasizes that many youths in the region view the army as an oppressive force, not as a protective institution.

The lawyer also highlighted the tensions surrounding Operation Python Dance and other military interventions in the region, which have resulted in multiple deaths and allegations of human rights abuses. These actions, he contends, have fueled distrust, making it incredibly difficult for the military to encourage young people from the Southeast to join its ranks.

Darlington's call for accountability and dialogue resonates with many who argue that for the military to truly serve the interests of all Nigerians, especially in the Southeast, there must be a significant shift in approach — one that prioritizes healing and restoring trust rather than escalating violence.

“We must remember that the military is meant to protect all citizens, not intimidate them. You cannot tell youths who are being hunted down in their own homes to then trust you enough to serve in the very army you’ve used against them,” Darlington added.

Many social media users and civil society groups have echoed Darlington's sentiments, pointing to the contradictions within the government's stance. Critics argue that without addressing the root causes of the discontent and distrust in the Southeast, such recruitment efforts are doomed to fail.

As the debate continues, all eyes will be on the Nigerian government and military leadership to see whether any changes will be made to the way security operations are conducted in the Southeast. Many argue that for true peace and integration, the government must engage in genuine dialogue with all communities and focus on addressing the deep-seated grievances that continue to fester.

For now, the tension between the military and the Southeast remains a poignant reminder of the challenges that lie ahead in Nigeria’s journey toward unity and national reconciliation.