Army expansion: Security adviser seeks Special Forces status for new 5 Division

The Special Adviser to Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu on Security, Col. Ahmed Usman (rtd), has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to designate the newly created 5 Division Headquarters in Makurdi, Benue State, as a Special Forces Division, saying the move is critical to tackling worsening insecurity in the North-Central and the country at large.

The retired army officer made the call on Monday while commending President Tinubu's approval for the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and the recruitment of an additional 28,000 personnel.

He described the expansion as a major step towards strengthening the country's security architecture but argued that increasing the number of divisions alone would not be sufficient to address Nigeria's evolving security challenges.

According to him, the 5 Division, expected to cover Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states, should be specially configured to confront terrorism, banditry, communal violence, kidnapping and other forms of organised crime prevalent in the northern region.

Usman noted that the division has a unique military heritage, explaining that the former 401 Special Force Brigade, which is being elevated to divisional status, had long been recognised within the Nigerian Army for the training and development of Special Forces personnel.

He said building on that legacy by formally designating the new formation as a Special Forces Division would strengthen the army's capacity to respond to emerging security threats.

"The security environment in Nigeria has changed significantly. We are no longer dealing with conventional threats alone. Terrorism, banditry, communal violence, kidnapping and transnational criminal activities require highly trained and specialised forces capable of rapid deployment, intelligence-driven operations and precision strikes," he said.

Usman said the North-Central had become a major conflict zone due to persistent farmer-herder clashes, communal killings and the activities of armed criminal groups, making the establishment of a Special Forces Division in Makurdi both strategic and necessary.

He said the new formation would provide rapid-response capability, strengthen counter-terrorism and counter-banditry operations, improve intelligence gathering and support neighbouring military formations during major operations.

He also noted that Makurdi's strategic location would enable the division to project military operations across the North-Central, South-East and South-South regions.

The security adviser urged the military authorities to ensure that part of the 28,000 newly approved recruits are trained as Special Forces operators, intelligence personnel, drone operators and combat engineers to meet emerging security threats.

He also called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to provide adequate funding for the new divisions, stressing that they should be equipped with modern surveillance technology, drones, night-vision devices, advanced communication systems, light armoured vehicles and medical evacuation platforms.

Usman commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for championing the army's expansion and appealed to the governments of Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states to support the establishment of the proposed division through the provision of land, logistics and other necessary facilities.

He also urged Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with credible intelligence to enhance efforts at restoring peace and stability across the country.