Tinubu's Approval of 12 Army Divisions, Most Significant in Decades", -General Buratai

Former Chief of Army Staff Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai (rtd) has described President Bola Tinubu’s approval of expansion of Nigerian Army from 8 divisions to 12 as turning point in national security architecture.

In paper titled “A New Dawn for Nigerian Defence: Strategic Expansion to 12 Divisions” made available Monday in Abuja, Buratai said it is most significant restructuring of land forces in decades and strategic response to evolving threats.

He said previous 8-division structure inadequate, new structure will decentralise command, improve responsiveness, intelligence coordination, logistics, deployment and inter-agency collaboration.

He commended Tinubu for approving recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to support expanded structure, easing pressure on troops while creating jobs, and lauded Chief of Army Staff Lt-Gen Waidi Shaibu for championing initiative.

Buratai said expansion will strengthen security against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, reinforce democratic institutions, national unity and cohesion as Army personnel drawn from every ethnic, religious background.

He urged Nigerians, state governments to support with land for barracks, training areas, and private sector to invest in accommodation, logistics, welfare, saying secure Nigeria enables economic growth.