Upwards of 10,000 retired soldiers are to be reinstated back into the Nigerian Army in a bid to boost the strength of the military to confront the insurgency that has engulfed the country’s North-East.

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said this afternoon that the Federal Government has already authorised the move.

However, while welcoming the development, ACF cautioned the authorities responsible for the reinstatement “to scrutinise the retired soldiers thoroughly and ensure that only persons qualified in accordance with military regulations are recalled.”

Continuing, it said in a statement issued in Kaduna by its National Publicity Secretary Muhammad Ibrahim: “The issue of Federal character must be reflected in the selection process to ensure fair representation of all sections of the country. ACF therefore urges the authorities to display transparency and honesty in the reinstatement exercise.

“ACF particularly advises that those who have never been in the military and therefore, cannot be re-instated or recalled should be precluded from the exercise, as on no should ex-militants, who after receiving formal training as part of Amnesty granted by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s benevolence, be considered to benefit from the exercise. They are not qualified for either re-instatement or recall from the reserve list.”

•Photo shows President Goodluck Jonathan in his Commander-in-Chief’s apparel.