By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
Former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, has urged officers of the Armed Forces to redouble their efforts to curtail insecurity, after President Bola Tinubu fulfilled his pledge to increase the salaries of military personnel.
Ndume, who represents Borno South, made the call in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday, 3 October, 2026.
The Presidency had announced in September its commitment to implement a new salary package for certain categories of military personnel.
According to a statement signed by the Presidential Media Aide, Bayo Onanuga, officers above the rank of colonel, including brigadier generals, major generals, lieutenant generals and generals, would get a 30 per cent increase.
Personnel from colonel down to warrant officer would get 50 per cent, while those from private to staff sergeant would get 80 per cent.
Onanuga said the package would raise the annual salary bill from N660 billion to N924 billion and benefit more than 250,000 personnel.
The Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Samaila Uba, confirmed the implementation of the review to Defence Correspondents on Friday.
Reacting, Ndume, a former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, said the President had shown commitment to boosting the morale of the troops.
“Making a pronouncement is one thing, redeeming your pledge is a different ball game entirely,” he said.
He added: “President Tinubu has shown times without number that he keeps to his words. It is heartwarming to note that the salary increment he promised the Nigerian Army has been redeemed.”
The senator then called on the officers to match the gesture with results.
“I want to urge our officers to redouble their efforts to curtail insecurity since the present administration is doing everything to boost their morale,” he said.
“They should do more now that they also have more troops on the ground with the recent recruitment,” he added.
Ndume also noted that the activation of the Army Aviation would go a long way in complementing the efforts of the Air Force.
“Now that we also have attack helicopters in the six geo-political zones,” he said.
He restated his call for better synergy between the infantry and the Air Force in the war against insurgency and banditry.
