By Cynthia Alo Former Nigerian Air Force spokesman Group Captain Sadeeq Shehu (Retd.) has faulted the Federal Government’s timeline for starting up four new army divisions, saying it is unrealistic to expect any of them to be combat-ready within the stipulated months. This is even as he pointed out that the proposed 28,000 recruits are grossly insufficient to populate all four divisions. Recall that last week, President Bola Tinubu approved the establishment of four new army divisions to be located in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo, and Benin City, increasing the total number of army divisions from eight to twelve.
The first three divisions are targeted for takeoff by the end of September and the fourth by December, alongside the recruitment of about 28,000 new troops.Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Monday, Shehu said a standard division requires between 15,000 and 20,000 officers and men, meaning 28,000 recruits could barely cover one division, let alone four. He added that it was very easy to announce the establishment of a division, but that no division, brigade, or even battalion could realistically be made ready to fight within two to five months. He said, “With due respect, it is a very good plan, but the timeline again is not realistic.
It is very easy for the president to say, ‘I have established a division. ‘But to have a ready division, in fact even a ready brigade or battalion, within three months or five months is barely impossible. You may appoint a general officer commanding and set up division headquarters, but you are not going to have a division ready to fight within three months.” According to him, Nigeria required more military personnel because of its growing population, security challenges, and regional responsibilities but insisted the Armed Forces must first strengthen existing formations before creating new ones.
He urged the Federal Government to first assess personnel and equipment gaps, citing Senator Ali Ndume’s disclosure at the National Assembly that some units lack ammunition and weapons and that the army received less than five percent of its budget for equipment this year.“We should be fixing these existing gaps first. Then we should know whether we need four divisions, six, or even 20. But fix the existing gaps.” He called for a proper threat and war-gaming analysis to determine the country’s actual troop and equipm…
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