Ndume Backs Tinubu’s Army Expansion, Calls for Attack Helicopters, Better Welfare for Troops

 

By Abdulahi Musa 

Former Senate Leader and Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has endorsed President Bola Tinubu's decision to expand the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions, describing the move as a significant step toward strengthening the country's security architecture. However, he urged the Federal Government to complement the expansion with the acquisition of attack helicopters, improved military equipment, and enhanced welfare packages for personnel.

The Federal Government last Thursday approved the establishment of four new army divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo, and Benin City, alongside plans to recruit 28,000 additional personnel. According to the Presidency, the initiative is aimed at bolstering Nigeria's defence capabilities and improving the military's capacity to tackle the country's evolving security threats.

Reacting in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, Ndume commended the administration for the decision but stressed that increasing the number of divisions alone would not guarantee improved security unless the troops are adequately equipped and motivated.

The senator called for each military division to be furnished with Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), and attack helicopters, arguing that air support remains crucial in combating insurgency, banditry, and other security threats.

"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 provide cover for ground troops," Ndume said.

A former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Ndume said the success of the military expansion would depend on what he described as the "TEAM" principle—Training, Equipment, Ammunition, and Motivation.

While welcoming the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, the lawmaker maintained that manpower alone would not address the country's security challenges.

"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," he stated.

Ndume also renewed his call for improved salaries, allowances, and welfare packages for military personnel, insisting that better remuneration would boost morale and operational effectiveness.

The Borno South senator further commended the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for sustaining pressure on insurgents in the North-East, noting that their operations have continued to record significant gains against terrorist groups.

He equally praised Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, for his sustained support for military operations and security initiatives across the state, describing the governor's collaboration with security agencies as instrumental in ongoing counter-insurgency efforts.

Ndume's latest remarks reinforce his long-standing advocacy for increased investment in Nigeria's armed forces. Over the past several months, he has consistently urged the Tinubu administration to prioritise the procurement of modern military hardware, including attack helicopters, armoured personnel carriers, and gun trucks, while also improving the welfare and remuneration of service personnel to match regional standards.