Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure the direct transfer of funds approved for the recent salary increase for personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Ndume, a former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, made the call on Tuesday in a statement, describing the salary review as an indication that the President has a clear strategy to tackle insecurity in the country.
The President had last week approved a salary increase for about 250,000 personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Reacting to the development, Ndume said the funds should be transferred directly to the military to ensure that the approved increase reaches the intended beneficiaries.
According to him, the salary review, coming alongside the recent expansion of military divisions from eight to 12, demonstrates the President’s commitment to addressing terrorism and banditry.
He said the improved remuneration would boost the morale of military personnel, noting that he had consistently advocated better welfare and decent living conditions for officers and soldiers.
Ndume described Tinubu as a responsive leader who is willing to listen to genuine and legitimate demands from Nigerians.
However, the senator stressed that improved salaries alone would not be enough to defeat insurgency.
He called on the Federal Government to complement the salary increase with the timely provision of arms, ammunition and other essential logistics required by the military to effectively combat insecurity.
