Former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and the recruitment of an additional 28,000 personnel, but urged the Federal Government to complement the initiative with improved remuneration, modern military hardware and sustained investment in the welfare of troops.

Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, said while the expansion of the Army’s operational structure is a significant step towards strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture, its success would depend largely on adequate funding, advanced equipment and enhanced motivation for personnel confronting insurgency, banditry and other security threats across the country.

President Tinubu had last Thursday approved the establishment of four new Army divisions in Makurdi, Benue State; Ilorin, Kwara State; Jalingo, Taraba State; and Benin City, Edo State, in addition to the recruitment of 28,000 new personnel to bolster the country’s defence capabilities.

The Presidency said the decision was aimed at improving military coordination, reducing response time to security threats and reinforcing the Armed Forces’ capacity to address the country’s evolving security challenges.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, Ndume welcomed the development, describing it as a bold intervention capable of enhancing operational effectiveness if backed by the necessary logistics and personnel welfare.

According to him, each of the 12 Army divisions should be supported with a Special Task Force Brigade equipped with Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicles, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and attack helicopters to ensure rapid deployment and superior combat capability.

The lawmaker further proposed that every one of the country’s six geopolitical zones should have at least five attack helicopters strategically positioned to enable swift responses to emergency security situations and provide aerial support for troops engaged in counter-insurgency operations.

He stressed that beyond increasing troop strength, the Federal Government should prioritise what he described as the “TEAM” approach to military effectiveness—Training, Equipment, Ammunition and Motivation.

“It is heartwarming to hear that President Tinubu has equally approved the recruitment of an additional 28,000 personnel,” he said.

“But it is not the number that really matters but TEAM. They need to be well remunerated. The morale of those in operation is very low.

“Apart from training and adequate procurement of modern arms and ammunition, I urge the present administration to consider an urgent review of their remuneration.”

Ndume argued that improving the welfare of military personnel was essential to sustaining morale and operational efficiency, noting that soldiers confronting terrorists and other criminal elements deserved better incentives in view of the risks associated with their duties.

He called on the Federal Government to substantially improve the salaries and allowances of members of the Armed Forces as well as other security agencies, suggesting that their basic monthly pay should not be less than the naira equivalent of 300 US dollars.

According to him, the government should not hesitate to source funds, including through borrowing if necessary, to adequately equip the military and strengthen national security.

“Even if we have to borrow, let Mr President borrow to equip the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security forces,” he said.

Ndume also commended troops deployed across various theatres of operation for sustaining pressure on insurgents and criminal groups, saying their efforts were yielding encouraging results, particularly in the North-East.

He praised personnel of Operation Hadin Kai, especially troops of the 82 Task Force Brigade in Gwoza, Borno State, for their recent rescue of more than 100 abducted persons.

The senator noted that the latest operation came shortly after the military secured the freedom of about 360 other captives from terrorist enclaves, describing the successes as evidence of the Armed Forces’ resilience and growing operational capacity.

He urged the Federal Government to sustain support for the military through improved funding, modern equipment and better welfare packages to consolidate recent gains in the fight against terrorism and other forms of insecurity across the country. (Guardian)

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