New Army Divisions will crush banditry, terrorism – Kaduna APC chieftain

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State, Musa Mohammed has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the bold and strategic reforms undertaken to reposition Nigeria’s security architecture, describing the creation of four additional Army Divisions as a decisive step towards ending the security challenges confronting the nation.

The APC chieftain said the restructuring of the military command structure, coupled with the President’s renewed commitment to improving the welfare of military personnel, would significantly strengthen the capacity, morale and operational effectiveness of the nation’s armed forces.

According to Mohammed, the decision demonstrates that the Tinubu administration is not merely reacting to Nigeria’s security challenges but is taking deliberate and strategic measures to permanently dismantle the networks of bandits, kidnappers, terrorists and other criminal elements threatening the peace and stability of the country.

“His Excellency, President Tinubu has demonstrated that he understands the gravity of Nigeria’s security challenges and is prepared to take bold decisions to confront them. The creation of four new Army Divisions is not just an administrative adjustment; it is a strategic re-engineering of our military response to insecurity,” he stated.

Mohammed further noted that the announcement of improved welfare packages for military personnel was equally significant, stressing that a well-motivated soldier is indispensable to the success of any national security strategy.

“You cannot ask a soldier to make the ultimate sacrifice for his country and, at the same time, neglect his welfare. When you improve the welfare of our troops, you are not simply increasing their salaries or benefits – you are investing directly in the security and survival of the nation,” he said.

The APC chieftain commended the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, for his leadership and commitment to implementing the administration’s security agenda, describing him as a battle-tested military professional with the experience and determination required to drive the reforms.

He said the Defence Minister had demonstrated that he was prepared to “put his hands firmly on the plough” and work with the armed forces and other security agencies to restore lasting peace across the country.

“General Christopher Musa understands the battlefield, understands the men and women under his command, and understands what is required to confront the new dimensions of insecurity. What Nigerians need now is to give the military leadership the tools, resources and political support required to deliver victory.”

While applauding the administration for the progress being recorded, the APC chieftain stressed that the restructuring of the security architecture must be matched with sustained investment in modern military hardware and technology.

He called for the urgent deployment of sophisticated equipment capable of addressing the realities of contemporary warfare, including high-altitude and stealth-capable armed drones, Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, modern combat aircraft, advanced surveillance systems and other precision-strike technologies.

“We cannot fight a 21st-century war with 20th-century equipment. Our soldiers are brave, but bravery must be backed by technology. Give our troops the intelligence, mobility, firepower and air superiority they need, and they will deliver the decisive victory Nigerians are waiting for.”

He also welcomed the administration’s plans to sustain recruitment into the Armed Forces, saying that strengthening the manpower base of the military was critical to maintaining security across Nigeria’s vast territory.

However, he cautioned that recruitment must go hand in hand with proper training, adequate equipment, logistics and continuous investment in the professional development of personnel.

Mohammed further praised President Tinubu for promoting greater coordination and intelligence-sharing among the various military and security agencies, describing the fusion of intelligence and operational capabilities as critical to defeating increasingly sophisticated criminal networks.

“Bandits, terrorists and kidnappers do not operate in silos, so our security agencies cannot afford to operate in silos either. The enemy must not find gaps between the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and intelligence agencies to exploit,” he said.

He stated that the effective integration of intelligence from the various security services would enable the government to identify criminal networks before they strike, disrupt their supply chains and financing, and eliminate their operational bases.

According to him, the battle against insecurity requires not only military operations but also superior intelligence, technology, inter-agency cooperation and sustained political will.

He therefore urged Nigerians to support the Armed Forces and other security agencies as they intensify operations against banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other forms of criminality.

“The message from the Tinubu administration is clear. Nigeria will no longer surrender its territory or its people to criminals. The war against insecurity is a war for the soul of Nigeria, and with the right strategy, equipment, intelligence and determination, victory is within our reach,” he said.