Borno South lawmaker, Ali Ndume, has advised President Bola Tinubu to dismiss calls for the removal of the current Service Chiefs, emphasizing their qualifications and experience in managing security operations.
According to News, the demand for the Service Chiefs’ dismissal was initiated by the Dominic Alancha-led Northern Ethnic National Forum, which criticized their professional capabilities despite substantial funding.
In a statement released in Abuja on Thursday, Ndume rebuffed these allegations as baseless and motivated by ulterior intentions that do not serve the interests of Tinubu’s administration or the Nigerian populace.
Instead, he advocated for a proactive “TEAM approach” focusing on Training, Equipment, Ammunition, and Motivation to empower the Armed Forces in effectively combating terrorism, banditry, and insurgency.
Addressing concerns regarding low morale among soldiers, Ndume pointed out that a private in the army earns approximately ₦100,000 per month, with a daily allowance of ₦5,000, which he termed inadequate.
He urged the government to prioritize the welfare of soldiers, stressing that the current compensation is insufficient. “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,” Ndume stated.
He added, “It is uncharitable for any group to accuse the Service Chiefs of professional incompetence. All of them have the requisite training and experience in theatre operations. What they need is adequate ammunition and motivation. The salary of a private soldier in Nigeria is about N100,000 per month, and the daily allowance of N5,000 is unconscionable. People should refrain from making statements that could dampen the morale of our soldiers and officers in the field.”
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