President Bola Tinubu don approve di biggest military expansion for Nigeria for recent times. Dis one na attempt to tackle di plenty security challenges wey dey worry di country.
Di government say dem go recruit 28,000 extra soldiers and create four new army divisions. Dis go bring di total number of divisions to 12.
Nigeria dey face serious pressure to stop di violence wey different armed groups dey cause. Militant Islamists, separatists and gangs wey dey kidnap civilians for ransom – all of dem dey give government headache.
Just last week, one armed gang kill at least 20 villagers for north-western state of Zamfara. For Borno state for north-east, 46 students dem abduct from school. But di army rescue dem after few hours.
Di authorities don make some progress against armed gangs. But di criminals don become more sophisticated. Violence still be part of life for many parts of Nigeria.
Di government say di new army divisions go help better coordination, intelligence sharing and faster response times. Under di current structure, many divisions dey cover too much area – from one state to another – and dia resources dey stretch.
Apart from di new divisions, three new army headquarters go dey set up for north-east and central Nigeria. Dem areas dey suffer from Islamist militants, banditry and farmers-herders clashes.
Violence don even spread to southern Nigeria. For May, 44 pupils and teachers dem abduct for Oyo state during attacks on schools.
Although di government plan to recruit tens of thousands of soldiers, security experts tell BBC say e go be big challenge to convince young Nigerians to join army. Many soldiers don die for recent months.
Before he approve dis changes, President Tinubu order armed groups to surrender or face full force of state.
For December, US and Nigerian forces launch joint operation against jihadists. Dem strike militants from Lakurawa group for north-western Nigeria on Christmas Day. Senior Islamic State leader Abu-Bilal al-Minuki also die during di mission wey centre for Lake Chad Basin area for north-east.
Analysts say Islamic State don shift – about 90% of dia attacks now happen for sub-Saharan Africa. Di Nigeria-based branch be di most active.
But even after di US-Nigeria joint operation wey end early dis month, Islamist militant groups still dey stage attacks.
