Senator Ali Ndume, former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army and current representative for Borno South, has said that removing service chiefs is not the solution to Nigeria’s ongoing fight against Boko Haram.

In a statement on Thursday in Abuja, Ndume argued that what is needed is a proactive team approach, adequate funding for arms and ammunition, and better remuneration for officers and soldiers. He stressed that proper support and motivation would significantly strengthen efforts against terrorism, banditry, and insurgency.

Ndume’s comments follow calls by the Northern Ethnic National Forum, led by Dr. Dominic Alancha, for the immediate dismissal of the current service chiefs over alleged professional inadequacies. “Those pushing for the sack of the present crop of service chiefs have ulterior motives and do not mean well for the present administration and Nigerians. All the service chiefs have the requisite training and experience in theatre operations. What they need is adequate ammunition and motivation,” he said.

He also highlighted the poor remuneration of Nigerian soldiers, noting that a private army earns about N100,000 ($67) per month, with a daily allowance of N5,000, describing the pay as “unconscionable.” Ndume commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for promoting ethno-religious balance in the security architecture, contrasting it with previous administrations.