By Taiwo Adisa, Abuja
IT emerged, on Wednesday, that ousted Libyan leader, Muammar
Gaddafi, recruited several young Nigerians into his armed forces in his
heyday. Security sources told the Nigerian Tribune that the former Libyan
leader targeted young university graduates, who were about going for the
youth service.
A security expert told the Nigerian Tribune that the deposed Libyan
leader had a network through which he identified young Nigerians who
could be recruited into the Libyan army and other forces.
Another source said that the former Libyan leader usually offered
those recruits scholarships and opportunity to pursue lifetime career in
the Libyan Armed Forces.
It was learnt that the Libyan leader deliberately did not restrict
the recruitment drive to a section of the country and that while many
from the North and South-East took up offers in the military, those from
the South-West and South-South usually did not take up the offer.
It was also gathered that the development lasted many years and that
many of those recruited were encouraged to leave the youth service for a
more promising career in the Libyan Armed Forces.
A source said that one young man from the South-East approached by
Gaddafi’s agents once asked for advice after receiving a letter of
offer to serve in the Libyan army.
"You have to note that the anger of the militants, who are fighting
Gaddafi, against Nigerians initially was largely fuelled by the
realisation that many Nigerians were actually recruited by Gaddafi and
were part of the last vestiges of resistance for Libya’s long-standing
leader," a source told the Nigerian Tribune.
The source further said that the Libyan leader was told that Nigerian
youths generally faced difficulties of unemployment after graduation.
He was said to usually target graduating students, who fulfilled the
requirements for military recruitment.
"He (Gaddafi) saw the advantage of getting Nigerians into his armed
forces since he knew that many of them were aware they would be roaming
the streets of Nigeria after graduation. Through the process he got
many recruits,” the source said, adding that many northern youths, who
also travelled to Libya for studies, ended up in the military.
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