A former Provost Marshall of the Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen Pat Akem-Vingir (retd), has stated that the Nigerian military requires at least 500,000 personnel to effectively combat terrorist groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
He emphasized that the current military size of about 230,000 personnel, according to the Global Fire Power platform, is insufficient.
Maj-Gen Akem-Vingir explained that despite some successes in Nigeria’s North-East, the military has struggled to hold captured territories due to a lack of manpower. He stressed that securing areas after terrorist dislodgement is crucial, as terrorists will continue to reclaim those regions if not adequately defended. He noted that capturing and holding ground is essential in combating insurgency and ensuring security for residents.
Additionally, Maj-Gen Akem-Vingir advised the government not to recognize the newly formed terror group Lakurawa, which has been causing havoc in the North-West. He described the group as a “small tiny group” seeking attention and urged the government to refrain from acknowledging them, as it would only encourage further actions from them.
The retired general called for the government to provide the military with the right equipment, training, and authority to decisively defeat terrorists and secure the country.
