Ndume backs Army expansion, demands better pay for troops

By John Alechenu

Former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, has thrown his weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions, as well as the recruitment of 28,000 more personnel.

Ndume, who represents Borno South, said the decision was a step in the right direction to strengthen the country’s security architecture and improve response time.

The Federal Government had on Thursday announced the establishment of four new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City.

Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, said the move “underscores the President’s unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges and to strengthen national defence capabilities.”

But in a statement made available to Vanguard, in Abuja on Saturday, Ndume said more needed to be done beyond creating new divisions.

He called on the Federal Government to procure at least five attack helicopters for each of the six geopolitical zones, and to set up Special Task Force Brigades in the new divisions.

“Each division should be equipped with MRAPs, APCs and attack helicopters. Let every geopolitical zone have at least five attack helicopters for rapid response to give cover to ground troops,” he said.

The lawmaker stressed that effectiveness would depend on what he called TEAM: Training, Equipment, Ammunition and Motivation.

“It is good that 28,000 more personnel are being recruited. But it is not about numbers. It is about TEAM. These men need to be well taken care of. Morale is very low,” Ndume said.

He urged the Tinubu administration to urgently review the pay of soldiers and other security personnel.

“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 the President borrow to equip our Armed Forces,” he added.

Ndume also commended troops at the frontline for sustaining pressure on insurgents, with what he described as visible results in the North East and other parts of the country.

He singled out men of Operation Hadin Kai, especially the 82 Task Force Brigade in Gwoza, for rescuing over 100 abductees recently, in addition to 360 earlier freed from terrorists.

The post Ndume backs Army expansion, demands better pay for troops appeared first on Vanguard News.