Follow Us on Google
….calls for better pay, more military hardware
From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions, as well as the directive for recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel.
He also described the move as a major step towards strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday.
The new divisions, to be located in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City, were announced last Thursday as part of efforts to improve military coordination and response time across the country.
Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, had said the approval reflects Tinubu’s commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to tackle the nation’s evolving security challenges and enhance national defence capabilities.
However, Ndume urged the president to complement the expansion with increased investment in military hardware and improved welfare for troops.
The Borno South senator proposed that each of the six geopolitical zones should be equipped with at least five attack helicopters to enable rapid response to security threats.
He also recommended that every military division should have a Special Task Force Brigade furnished with Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicles, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and attack helicopters.
“President Tinubu has said the increase in the number of military divisions from eight to 12 is to improve military coordination and response time.
“I will want to add that each of the divisions should have a Special Task Force Brigade equipped with Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicles, Armoured Personnel Carriers and attack helicopters.
“Let each geopolitical zone have at least five attack helicopters for rapid response to any emergency security situation to provide adequate cover for ground troops,” he said.
The lawmaker stressed that beyond increasing troop strength, the government should prioritise what he described as “TEAM” which stands for Training, Equipment, Ammunition and Motivation.
While welcoming the approval for the recruitment of 28,000 additional soldiers, he argued that the effectiveness of the armed forces depends more on proper training, modern equipment and improved welfare than on personnel numbers alone.
“It is heart-warming to hear that President Tinubu has equally approved the recruitment of an additional 28,000 personnel. But it is not the number that really matters but TEAM,” he said.
Ndume added, “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.
“The Federal Government should increase the remuneration of the Army and other security agencies. Their basic salary should not be less than the naira equivalent of $300. Even if we have to borrow, let Mr President borrow to equip the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies.”
Ndume also praised the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for sustaining pressure on insurgents, noting that ongoing operations were producing encouraging results in the North East and other parts of the country.
He specifically commended troops of Operation Hadin Kai, particularly the 82 Task Force Brigade in Gwoza, Borno State, for rescuing more than 100 abductees in a recent operation, in addition to the 360 victims earlier freed from terrorist captivity.
