Group says expansion of Army divisions will enhance security

The Nigeria Citizens Watch for Good Governance has described President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the expansion of the Nigerian Army to 12 divisions and the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel as a “game changer” that will significantly strengthen the country’s fight against insecurity.

Addressing journalists on Monday in Abuja, the Director of Communications of the organisation, Igwe Ude-Umanta, said the decision marked one of the most far-reaching reforms of Nigeria’s security architecture in recent years, arguing that it demonstrates the Tinubu administration’s commitment to making national security the cornerstone of its Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to the group, the expansion goes beyond a routine increase in troop strength and represents a strategic intervention capable of transforming the country’s security landscape.

“This bold and gigantic step is a game changer. It is suffocation to the very oxygen of insecurity, a deadly venom to both the sponsors and the foot soldiers of terror, a potent cleanser that will detoxify this nation of criminality and make the torment of insecurity a thing of the past,” the group said.

It also said the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel would provide a major morale boost for soldiers currently engaged in counter-insurgency, anti-banditry and other internal security operations across the country.

“For our gallant troops who fight day and night, who chase evil into the darkest corners of our forests, this expansion and the mass recruitment of fresh, capable hands are a thundering morale booster. It tells every soldier that the nation sees, the nation cares, and the nation is backing them with concrete action,” the group stated.

The NCWGG further argued that the President’s decision aligns with Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.

The organisation also praised the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Olufemi Oluyede, describing them as the “twin pillars” driving the military’s ongoing transformation.

“These two distinguished officers are the twin pillars under whose command this historic milestone is being achieved. Their professional vision, their tireless re-engineering of our operational posture and their quiet, determined leadership have taken the security architecture of this country to another level entirely,” it added.

The group passed what it described as a vote of confidence in both military chiefs, saying their leadership had restored confidence in the Armed Forces and strengthened operational effectiveness across the country.

It also referenced what it described as growing international recognition of Nigeria’s security efforts, citing a reported commendation by United States President Donald Trump in a July 6, 2026 letter to President Tinubu for Nigeria’s campaign against terrorism.

According to the group, recent security successes, including the rescue of 44 schoolchildren and their teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, demonstrate the renewed operational capacity of the Armed Forces.

“The recent successful rescue of 44 school children and their teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State stands as a shining testament to the operational efficiency and renewed vigour of our security forces,” it added.

Calling on Nigerians to support ongoing military operations, the NCWGG urged citizens to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing timely intelligence.

“The security of this country is not a one-man show. It is a solemn responsibility that rests on every Nigerian. Every piece of information shared with the authorities, every suspicious movement reported, and every act of community solidarity shrinks the operational space of the enemy. We must own this fight together,” it added.

The organisation also appealed to the Federal Government to sustain increased investment in the Armed Forces through improved funding, acquisition of modern military equipment and enhanced welfare for personnel.

It further urged the National Assembly to continue supporting the military through legislation and adequate budgetary appropriations to ensure that troops remain well-equipped and motivated.

President Tinubu recently approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from its current structure to 12 divisions alongside the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel as part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s response to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats.

The decision is expected to increase the Army’s operational reach, improve force deployment across the country’s theatres of operation and reinforce ongoing military campaigns against criminal groups.