The Nigerian Army has approved the establishment of Nigerian Girls Military School (NGMS) Miringa, in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, home of Chief of Army Staff Tukur Buratai.

An internal army correspondence obtained by Peoples Gazette showed that an establishment order for the girls school was granted on September 28 by Army Headquarters’ Department of Policy and Plans (AHQ DAPP).

The memo also revealed that the army hierarchy had on September 15, authorised the conversion of Command Girls Secondary School – a boarding facility in Miringa to the new military school.

All army personnel were encouraged to enrol their female children into the school, which the circular says holds the promise of “imbibing military tradition and regimentation to young girls aspiring to have a career in the Nigerian Army.”

In April 2018, the Federal Executive Council approved the takeoff of the Nigerian Army University, Biu, in Mr. Buratai’s local government. Reacting to the furore the move had ignited, Borno South senator Ali Ndume of the ruling APC, argued that Biu LGA lacked federal tertiary institutions and needed “strong military presence.” The recent establishment of another military school (NGMS, Miringa) in Biu, could be, however, considered as one too many.

Miringa, located about 189.2 kilometres from Maiduguri has been frequently targeted by the jihadist Boko Haram sect since Mr. Buratai assumed office as Nigeria’s army chief in 2015.

Military sources, who spoke to the Gazette under anonymity to avoid being hounded for talking to journalists, expressed worry that the Nigerian Girls Military School Miringa, a 42-minute drive from Buratai town, the chief of army staff’s hometown may be targeted  by insurgents as part of coordinated attempts to spite the federal government.

An army spokesman did not immediately return requests for comments.