Ndume Defends Service Chiefs, Urges Tinubu to Boost Troop Welfare

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has cautioned President Bola Tinubu against heeding calls to dismiss Nigeria’s military chiefs. He argued that the officers possess sufficient training and experience, and what they truly need is better support to effectively combat terrorism, banditry, and insurgency.

                                 

The Northern Ethnic National Forum, led by Dominic Alancha, recently demanded that Nigeria’s service chiefs be removed, accusing them of incompetence despite massive security spending.

Ndume, however, dismissed these claims as “baseless and deceitful,” insisting that the accusations do not reflect the reality on the ground.

In his Thursday statement, Ndume recommended a “TEAM approach” focusing on:

• Training

• Equipment

• Ammunition

• Motivation

He stressed that these four pillars are essential if the Armed Forces are to succeed against rising security threats.

Ndume also raised alarms over the low morale of Nigerian soldiers, citing poor compensation as a major factor.

• An army private earns about N100,000 per month.

• Their daily allowance stands at N5,000.

He described this as inadequate for men and women risking their lives on the frontlines, urging the government to prioritize troop welfare.

“Those pushing for the sack of the present Service Chiefs have ulterior motives and do not mean well for the administration or Nigerians. I reiterate my call for a proactive TEAM approach, Training, Equipment, Ammunition, and Motivation. These measures would go a long way in countering terrorism, banditry, and insurgency.”