The Acting Chief of Army Staff (Ag. COAS), Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has expressed concern over the Nigerian Army’s annual recruitment of approximately 15,000 personnel without sufficient provision for their accommodation.
Lt. Gen. Oluyede disclosed this during a condolence visit by the Senate Committee on Army, led by Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, to his office at the Army Headquarters in Abuja on Monday.
The Acting COAS also highlighted the declining budget allocations for the Nigerian Army, despite the growing number of recruits.
He warned that in the event of a overcoming insecurity, the Army might face significant challenges in providing housing for its personnel, urging the Senate to support the Army to overcome its challenges.
“I need to reiterate that Nigeria belongs to all of us. Without your support, securing Nigeria will be very difficult,” he stated. “So I appeal to you, the eminent leaders of Nigeria, to support us in making our job easier so we can better secure the nation.”
He added, “Over time, the resources allocated to the Nigerian Army have been steadily decreasing. This forum provides a good opportunity to ask that, when considering next year’s budget, critical issues regarding the Nigerian Army be addressed.
“For instance, in recent years, we’ve been recruiting about 15,000 personnel annually, but no provisions have been made for their accommodation. I often wonder, if we manage to resolve the security challenges, where will these soldiers retire to? It’s a concern that keeps me up at night.”
The Acting COAS also appealed to the National Assembly to prioritise the concerns raised in the next budget cycle and to consider other essential needs, such as advancements in technology, to enhance the Army’s capacity to secure the nation.
“Therefore, I urge the National Assembly to address these pressing issues, along with other combat enablers, to help us better perform our duties and ensure the security of Nigeria,” Lt.-Gen. Oluyede added.
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