Nigeria’s President Greenlights Major Army Expansion to Counter Violent Gangs

In a decisive move, President Bola Tinubu authorized a 28,000‑strong recruitment drive and the creation of four new army divisions, a push aimed at tightening security as militant Islamists, separatists and bandit gangs terrorise the country.

The new divisions, bringing the total to 12, are expected to improve coordination, intelligence sharing and response times across wide regions that had previously stretched resources thin.

Recent incidents – including the killing of at least 20 civilians in Zamfara and the abduction of 46 students in Borno – underscore the urgency of a stronger military posture.

To complement the troop buildup, Tinubu announced an additional 50,000 police officers and a record 5.41 trillion naira budget for defence, signalling a comprehensive effort to counter violence that has plagued Nigeria for years.

[Read more on the rising security challenges in Nigeria](/news/articles/c4g4jlgdyjdo)