President Bola Tinubu says the Nigerian Army has operationalised new formations in Zamfara, Kebbi, Oyo and Osun states as part of measures to strengthen the country’s security response and improve the protection of vulnerable communities.
The President disclosed this in a statement shared on his social media handles on Sunday, explaining that the new formations would bring troops closer to communities facing security threats and improve their ability to respond more quickly to incidents.
Tinubu said the move would strengthen the operational capacity of the Nigerian Army and enable troops to respond more effectively whenever citizens and communities come under threat.
He stated that the establishment of the new formations was part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to improve the country’s security infrastructure and ensure that military personnel are better positioned to deal with emerging threats.
The President also announced that the government was accelerating the construction of new military barracks and depots in Abuja, Ekiti, Ebonyi and Kogi states. He added that construction work on similar facilities in Osun State had already been completed.
According to Tinubu, the projects are intended to improve the welfare and working conditions of military personnel, while also providing better living conditions for their families.
He said that as the government continues to demand greater commitment and sacrifice from members of the Armed Forces, it must also ensure that soldiers and their families receive the necessary support.
Tinubu also pointed to the recent salary increase for military personnel, saying the improved remuneration was already having a positive impact on servicemen, women and their families.
The President said members of the Armed Forces had shared their experiences about what the pay increase meant for their households, adding that he was pleased that the policy was making a difference in their lives.
He further acknowledged the sacrifices made by military personnel in the course of protecting the country, stressing that military deployments also place a burden on the families of those serving.
According to him, every deployment represents a sacrifice by the family of the personnel involved, particularly those who remain at home while their relatives are deployed to areas affected by insecurity.
Tinubu said that as Commander-in-Chief, he had a responsibility to ensure that members of the Armed Forces had the equipment, resources and institutional support required to carry out their duties effectively.
He also stressed the need for the country to stand behind the families of military personnel, particularly those whose loved ones are deployed for extended periods in the fight against insecurity.
The development comes as several parts of Nigeria continue to face security challenges, with the North-West particularly affected by armed banditry, kidnapping and attacks on rural communities.
Zamfara and neighbouring states have in recent years faced persistent security threats, while other parts of the country have also recorded attacks and criminal activities requiring sustained security operations.
The operationalisation of the new Army formations is therefore expected to increase the military’s presence in the affected states, improve intelligence and response capabilities, and enable security personnel to respond more quickly to threats against communities.
The Federal Government’s investment in new barracks and depots is also expected to complement the expanded operational presence by improving facilities and welfare conditions for military personnel and their families.
SOURCE:PUNCH
