Sadeeq Shehu warns against politically motivated military expansion, calls for improved personnel and equipment across existing formations
A former spokesman of the Nigerian Air Force, Group Captain Sadeeq Shehu (retd.), has urged the Federal Government to address existing personnel and equipment gaps within the armed forces before proceeding with plans to establish four additional divisions of the Nigerian Army.
President Bola Tinubu last week approved the creation of four new divisions in Makurdi, Benue State; Ilorin, Kwara State; Jalingo, Taraba State; and Benin City, Edo State, increasing the number of Army divisions from eight to 12.
The new formations are expected to provide command structures for the recruitment of 28,000 additional military personnel, strengthen troop deployment in vulnerable areas and improve operational coordination against security threats.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE NEWS on Monday, Shehu said the military should first assess and address deficiencies within existing formations before embarking on further expansion.
“We should be fixing the existing gaps which have been discussed in the Senate and in all the discussions. We should fix them first. Then we should know whether we need four divisions, whether we need six divisions, or even 20 divisions,” he said.
The retired officer acknowledged that Nigeria requires more military personnel due to its security challenges, territorial size, population and regional responsibilities, but stressed that the operational readiness of the current divisions must first be determined.
“I think the question should be, if we have eight divisions, we need to know what their current status is before we start thinking of adding new divisions,” he added.
Shehu noted that concerns over overstretched troops and shortages of equipment had been raised repeatedly, pointing out that many personnel remain on extended deployments in conflict zones without replacement.
“It is open knowledge that the military is overstretched. We have people staying in long tours of duty in conflict areas without replacement,” he said.
He explained that every military formation must maintain the appropriate balance of personnel, organisation and equipment to function effectively.
“Military science has shown that unless you have this combination of organisation, that is, the number of personnel and equipment that is balanced, your battalion, brigade or division is not going to function properly,” he stated.
Shehu also cautioned against allowing political considerations to influence decisions on the creation or location of military formations.
“Let’s not make it as if it is a politically motivated decision that every area needs to have its own division. That will not help the military, and it will not help the country,” he warned.