Ndume Urges Tinubu to Boost Military Funding, Raise Salaries to Curb Insecurity

 

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, has attributed Nigeria’s persistent insecurity to technological inadequacies and poor welfare for the armed forces, calling on President Bola Tinubu to urgently equip security agencies and improve personnel remuneration.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Ndume said Nigeria lacks the technological infrastructure to track criminals in real time, pointing to an underperforming national satellite system as a key limitation.

“Despite having satellites in orbit, we still cannot trace abductors, locate missing citizens, or monitor criminal movements effectively. Nigeria has only four satellites, and one is already experiencing issues. This is far from adequate,” Ndume stated.

The senator noted that modern warfare relies heavily on satellite intelligence, citing that while the U.S. operates thousands of satellites, Nigeria’s limited capacity hinders surveillance, particularly in forests and rural communities. He further observed that current assets of the Nigerian Air Force, including UAVs and Tucano aircraft, cannot operate effectively without proper satellite support.

Highlighting the impact of technological gaps on rising abductions and violence in the North-East, Ndume argued that even small terrorist groups continue to overwhelm security forces due to inadequate monitoring. “If we had proper aerial surveillance, even low-level support would disrupt attacks. But without this, we cannot see what is happening in places like Sambisa or Kebbi forests,” he said.

Ndume also welcomed President Tinubu’s recent directive to withdraw police personnel from VIP protection duties, describing the move as long overdue. He criticized the over-deployment of security details to public office holders, noting that such practices have left ordinary citizens vulnerable.

“I visited a colleague’s residence and counted more than 10 policemen, despite him being junior to me in the National Assembly. This undermines public safety. Security personnel should be redeployed to protect the general population,” he said, citing his observations from trips abroad, including Côte d’Ivoire.

On the welfare of security personnel, Ndume lamented that soldiers and officers remain underpaid relative to the risks they face. He recalled that privates in the Nigerian Army earned only N50,000 monthly until recently, with the current increment to N104,000 still grossly inadequate. “How can you pay someone N50,000 or even N100,000 and expect them to give their best? In the U.S., a private earns over $2,000 monthly. Our men are being asked to risk their lives without proper support,” he said.

Ndume urged the President to issue an executive order mandating a comprehensive salary review and better allowances for all security personnel. He emphasized that improved pay, proper equipment, and standardized battalion structures—most currently operating below international minimum strength—are crucial to addressing insecurity.

“The President has taken some bold steps, but now it is time to equip the Army, enhance remuneration, and close the technological gap, especially in satellite capability,” Ndume concluded.