Former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (Rtd), has endorsed the Federal Government’s decision to expand the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions, describing the move as a step in the right direction.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News monitored by The News Chronicle (TNC), Irabor, however, stressed that expanding the Army alone would not address Nigeria’s security challenges without strengthening existing formations.
He said President Bola Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief, has a better understanding of the country’s security situation and the operational needs of the Armed Forces.
“The President has a better knowledge of the status of the military and security, and if he decided to begin this intervention with the Army, that is his decision,” Irabor said.
While welcoming the planned expansion, the retired defence chief insisted that the existing eight divisions must first be adequately strengthened through improved personnel strength, equipment, logistics, accommodation and welfare.
“Moving from eight to 12 divisions is a good initiative, but the existing eight divisions must first be brought up to scale in terms of personnel, equipment, logistics, accommodation and welfare,” he said.
Irabor noted that creating additional divisions would require substantial financial investment, urging the government to carefully balance security needs with available national resources.
He also argued that the Nigeria Police Force should remain the country’s primary institution for internal security, while the military should only play a supporting role.
According to him, years of inadequate attention to policing have created security gaps that the military has been compelled to fill.
Addressing concerns over whether the planned recruitment of 28,000 additional soldiers would be sufficient to tackle insecurity, Irabor said security planning must be guided by available resources.
“What you need is different from what is possible,” he said.
He explained that government must assess the cost implications of military expansion against available resources, adding that security agencies should strive to attain between 75 and 80 per cent of their operational requirements to effectively respond to threats.
According to him, improving national security would significantly accelerate economic growth and national development.
“If we get our security right, development can be fast-tracked. Security and development are complementary,” he said.
Irabor called for continuous assessment of Nigeria’s security challenges to ensure that the appropriate structures, manpower and resources are deployed where they are most needed.
On military preparedness, he said every armed force must remain combat-ready, noting that effective training depends largely on the availability of adequate resources.
Speaking on concerns about infiltration of the military by criminal elements, Irabor said the Armed Forces have established screening mechanisms to reduce such risks during recruitment.
“There is always the possibility of a mole, which is why recruitment includes background checks and specific guarantors,” he said.
He added that recruits are closely monitored throughout their training, with their conduct, attitude and character carefully assessed before they are fully integrated into military service.
According to Irabor, members of the Armed Forces are drawn from society and inevitably reflect its values.
“Assuming the average Nigerian is patriotic, he brings that same trait into the military,” he said.
