Senator Ali Ndume has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the expansion of the Nigerian Army and the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, but says the move must be backed with modern military equipment and improved welfare for troops to effectively tackle insecurity.
The senator, who represents Borno South, reacted to the Federal Government’s recent approval to increase the number of army divisions from eight to 12, with four new divisions to be established in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City.
Ndume described the decision as a positive step toward strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture and improving military response across the country.
However, he urged the Federal Government to go beyond increasing troop numbers by investing in modern combat equipment.
“Each geopolitical zone should have at least five attack helicopters for rapid response to any emergency security situation to give adequate cover to the ground troops,” he said.
The lawmaker also recommended that every army division should have a Special Task Force Brigade equipped with Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicles, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and attack helicopters.
According to Ndume, the success of the military depends on what he described as TEAM — Training, Equipment, Ammunition and Motivation.
“It is not the number that really matters but TEAM,” he stated.
He also stressed the need to improve the welfare of military personnel, saying poor remuneration has affected the morale of troops currently battling insurgency and other security threats.
“They need to be well remunerated. The morale of those in operation is very low,” Ndume said.
The senator called on the Federal Government to urgently review the salaries of members of the armed forces and other security agencies.
“Their basic salary should not be less than $300 equivalent. Even if we have to borrow, let Mr. President borrow to equip the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security forces,” he added.
Ndume also praised the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their ongoing operations against terrorists, noting that recent military offensives have recorded significant successes in the North-East.
He specifically commended troops of Operation Hadin Kai, especially the 82 Task Force Brigade in Gwoza, for rescuing more than 100 abductees in a recent operation, in addition to the 360 victims earlier freed from terrorist captivity.
