•Emir hails president •Experts warn against recruiting repentant terrorists into military •Seek increased funding for logistics, equipment, training Linus Aleke in Abuja and Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The decision by President Bola Tinubu to expand the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and recruit an additional 28,000 personnel has won broad endorsement from governors, traditional rulers and security experts, who described it as a significant step towards tackling the country’s worsening insecurity while urging greater investment in intelligence, technology and modern military capabilities. This comes as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, yesterday called for greater private sector investment in national security and military infrastructure, describing stronger partnerships between the Armed Forces and corporate organisations as critical to enhancing operational effectiveness, improving personnel welfare and accelerating national development.In a related development, troops of Sector 2, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), in collaboration with the Yobe State Hunters Group, have apprehended five suspected kidnappers and recovered weapons during an intelligence-led operation at Jegalari Village in Fune Local Government Area of Yobe State. Tinubu approved the expansion of the Division on Thursday as part of efforts to strengthen national security and enhance the Army’s ability to respond more effectively to emerging threats.According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the decision underscored the administration’s commitment to building a more robust and responsive military capable of safeguarding lives, property and Nigeria’s territorial integrity. Owing to this, the governors, under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), yesterday lauded President Tinubu’s creation of four new Army divisions across the country.NGF’s Chairman and Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in a statement issued in Ilorin, stated that the decision to create four new divisions was the largest single expansion of the Nigerian Army in modern history, adding that the bold step showed the President’s renewed commitment to security of lives and property. “We wholeheartedly welcome this development, including the president’s approval for the Army to hire 28,000 new personnel and acquire more critical military assets. We are confident that this initiative will enhance the government’s counterterrorism and anti-banditry efforts,” the governors said.They pledged their continued support for and collaboration with the President on national security and all other issues of national development. “The Forum again urges citizens to continue to support government and security forces to strengthen security in every part of the country, including giving timely information to the security agencies,” they added.Also yesterday, the Emir of Ilorin and chairman of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Alh, brahim Sulu-Gambari, commended Tinubu for approving the establishment of the new 9 Division Headquarters of the Nigerian Army in Ilorin, Kwara State. The Emir described the decision as a landmark move that will significantly enhance national security, strengthen internal security operations, and improve the safety of lives and property in Kwara and Niger states.In a statement issued yesterday, by his spokesman, Dr. Abdulazeez Arowona, Sulu- Gambari said the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure was a welcome development. He noted that the establishment of the Division in Ilorin was a clear demonstration of Tinubu’s commitment to decentralising command and control, strengthening border security, and ensuring faster military response to emerging threats.The Emir added: “This development will not only boost security in our dear state and the entire North-Central region, but will also create more opportunities for our youths and contribute to the socio-economic development of Kwara State.” Equally, security and defence experts welcomed Tinubu’s approval for the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and the recruitment of an additional 28,000 personnel, describing the move as a timely response to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges. While applauding the initiative as a major boost to the Army’s operational capacity and nationwide presence, they stressed that its success would depend on sustained investment in logistics, training, modern equipment, intelligence and technology. They also warned against the recruitment or integration of repentant terrorists into the military under any guise. Reacting to the development, former Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (Rtd), described the expansion as long overdue, considering Ni
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