Do we have a strong army?
Can we defend ourselves, can we defend her during wartime? If a war breaks out tomorrow, I pray it never does, are we ready? what do we have?
Are the igbiras we have in those barracks well-trained?

see somalia, congo, sudan, iraq, etc

Remember that this same army have gone for several peace missions in many parts of the world and have been well commended.

the Nigerian army is the strongest in west Africa.

no kidding, wow.

hnmm

what is hmm? what if somalia tomorrow decides to begin a religious war with us, are we well equipped and prepared? don't tell me nobody knows. it would be sad if we the Nigerian people have no knowledge of the depth of our national defense system.

are there any news on google about the strength of the nigerian army?

When Sergeant Goroso slap you and you see 15 star-spangled clouds, you will answer your own question.

Nigerian Army stabilize a whole Liberia, them stabilize the whole Sierra Leone and humble the rebels yet una dey ask whether Nigeria get army.

Anyway, in active duty, we have about 90,000. In passive duty, or reserve, more than 300,000.

Active duty figures are closer to 80,000, I don't know where your 'passive'/'reserve' figures are from denex.

The army is strong enough to fight against any regional aggression, but in a wider conflict involving better equipped militaries like that of Egypt or South Africa, we would definitely be deficient

DO WE HAVE ANY ARMY?
ANS: before nko
 we have army, navy, and airforce to face off with most third world countries.
Somalia is doing gra gra cuz if they venture try us we will pound them very well from the air and our army also has long rocket propelled grenades to finish them off all the way from Nigeria. Not just somalia but many countries in Africa regardless of where they are.
Believe it or not, we have a strong army and weapons that are produced in naija not to talk about the ones we bought. Is just that niger delta is within and the army is not authorized to use excessive force in niger delta cuz they are part of us. I hope they begin making every citizen have military training cuz a lot of African countries are doing that with the view of making everyone feel obliged and equal.

desgiezd:

Remember that this same army have gone for several peace missions in many parts of the world and have been well commended.

Partially concur.

debosky:

Active duty figures are closer to 80,000, I don't know where your 'passive'/'reserve' figures are from denex.

na the hypocrite recruit them.

Denex is a magician.He snatches figures from thin air and spouts them shamelessly.

Nigerian Army stabilize a whole Liberia, them stabilize the whole Sierra Leone and humble the rebels yet una dey ask whether Nigeria get army.

How did we stabilise Liberia and Sierra Leone? The army has been unable to stabilise the Niger-Delta

at least th Nigerian army dey try, according to denex they were able to humble a ragtag bunch of rebels with no airforce, no navy and just rifles!

naijaway:

DO WE HAVE ANY ARMY?
ANS: before nko
we have army, navy, and airforce to face off with most third world countries.
Somalia is doing gra gra because if they venture try us we will pound them very well from the air and our army also has long rocket propelled grenades to finish them off all the way from Nigeria. Not just somalia but many countries in Africa regardless of where they are.
Believe it or not, we have a strong army and weapons that are produced in naija not to talk about the ones we bought. Is just that niger delta is within and the army is not authorized to use excessive force in niger delta because they are part of us. I hope they begin making every citizen have military training because a lot of African countries are doing that with the view of making everyone feel obliged and equal.

another stupid-esque post, do you know what the distance from Nigeria to Somalia is? do you even know what a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) is and what its range is? even the 'ordinary' ND militants have these, and in Iraq these days, you'll pick one up for the cost of a pair of Levi jeans so what is the bragging about?

Nigeria has an army alright, but don't go getting all crazy about its capabilities. compared to poor African states surrounding us we are local champions, but nothing more.

@ I-man we did help bring stability to those countries, which are incidentally the size of Niger state and probably have a population less than Lagos. But its like me feeling strong because i beat up a kid in primary 6, not a mean feat at all

But its like me feeling strong because i beat up a kid in primary 6, not a mean feat at all

hahahahaha bully, funny.

The Nigerian airforce still uses alfa jets made in the 1960s, they use beetle helicopters the world has long since abandoned as trainer aircraft, the navy is hopeles. We have enough fire power to "humble" rebels.

You know I just found a site (don't know how credible it is), that documents the history of the nigerian military between 1862 & 1945. I guess some of us can learn a thing or two here about the history of Nigeria.

naijaway:

Believe it or not, we have a strong army and weapons that are produced in naija not to talk about the ones we bought. Is just that niger delta is within and the army is not authorized to use excessive force in niger delta because they are part of us.

I guess you didn't hear about this:

The Nigerian military says it has fought a fierce gun battle with heavily armed militants in the Niger Delta.
Thirty speed boats each carrying 15 militants attacked a petrol tanker demanding fuel, an army source says.
The group, which is demanding a greater share of the region's oil wealth, says the military initiated the attack.
Wednesday's incident took place in an area known as a militant stronghold and near where it is suspected three foreign hostages are being held.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4789274.stm

MILITARY HISTORY OF NIGERIA: 1862 - 1945

In 1862 the British Government declared Lagos a British Colony, and to defend the new territory against native or foreign incursions two companies of the West India Regiment were station within the colony. The garrison was supported by two gun boats supplied by the Navy. It was later that a force of eighty Hausas was raised to perform both military and police duties. The Hausa force expended and became, first the Lagos Military, then the Lagos constabulary, which took part in the Ashanti War of 1873-74, where a detachment remained behind to form the Gold Coast Constabulary. It was amalgamated in the West African Frontier Force in 1901.

In 1879 the National African Company raised its own police force. The National African Company Constabulary was put on a regular basis under British officers. It was not until 1891 when consuls were appointed to the Oil Rivers Protectorate that a constabulary was raised. In 1893 this force became the Niger Coast Constabulary, commanded by British officers. The Niger Coast Constabulary was made up of one-third Yorubas and two-thirds Hausas. These constabulary force were constantly engaged in the various struggles in which the British Government was involved.

The first campaign which a considerable number of these native forces were engaged was the expedition against the Emirs of Nupe and Ilorin, in 1892. The force consisted of men of the Royal Niger Constabulary and was commanded buy Major Arnold. In the same year the force was employed on the Benin Expedition, it was supported by some marines and gun boats.

The tension along the borders between the French and British territories was decisive in the formation of a body of imperial native troops distinct from those of the Niger Company. In 1897 Colonel Lugard was commissioned to raise the West African Frontier Force. The new force was directly financed from British funds and was led by British Regular Officers and Non-commissioned officers. The formation of the WAFF which was funded by the British Government was one of deciding factors in the proclamation of the Protectorates of Northern and Southern Nigeria in 1900. Troops of the newly constituted West African Frontier Force took part in the Ashanti War, in 1900. To assist in the suppression of the Ashanti Rebellion 1200 troops were despatched from Nigeria under Colonel Willcocks. There they gained great distinction.

In 1901, all the native units on the West Coast of Africa were amalgamated into the West African Frontier Force. In Nigeria two district units were formed, the Norther Nigeria Regiment and the Southern Nigeria Regiment, which remained separate until 1914. The Northern Regiment comprised two infantry battalions, a battalion of mounted infantry, and a battery, while the Southern Regiment had two infantry battalions and a battery. In 1906 the Southern Regiment absorbed the Lagos Constabulary.

Troops of the two regiments took part in the various major expeditions between 1900 and 1902. Both the Southern and Northern Nigeria Regiments were engaged in what the British regarded as war against Slave Raids. While the Southern Regiment fought against the Aro, the Northern Regiment fought the Emir of Bida. Between 1902 and 1903 the Northern Regiment was despatched against Kano and Sokoto. The Mahdist revolt which occurred at Satiru in 1906 was suppressed by the troops of the Northern Nigeria Regiment. In the South the British took arms against the Aro which had remained opposed to British penetration into the hinterland. The Aro fought gallantly but in the end suffered terrible humiliation while the Aro invincibility crumbled. Serious opposition to British rule in Nigeria ended with the mahdist revolt and the Aro Expedition, though there were still pockets of resistance in different parts of the country which called for a number of patrols.

In 1914 the Protectorates of Northern and Southern Nigeria were amalgamated under Sir Frederick Lugard. Consequently the Defence Scheme came under revision with the result that the Northern and thee Southern Nigeria Regiments were merged to form the Nigeria Regiment. The strength of the new regiments was determined by the requirements of internal security. Battalions were organised on the old eight company basis.

Hardly had the work of amalgamation begun and the unification of the two fores achieved when the First World War exploded. The war involved Great Britain and by extension its overseas territories. The war broke out on the 4th August 1914 and throughout the duration of the war Nigerians were constrained to make sacrifices either as fighting soldiers or as agricultural producer for the sustenance of the British war effort and the British economy.

Throughout the period of the war Nigerians offered their services to the Nigerian Government either as fighting soldiers or as carriers. The Nigerian Regiment was expanded to nine battalions while 14,000 native soldiers and 29,000 carriers were enlisted. A motor transport unit of 250 was formed as will as the Nigerian Marine Contingent. Many British officials joined the Imperial Forces, the West African Frontier Force or the Carrier Corps.

The incident which started the war occurred at Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia, on the 28th June, 1914 following the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, the heir to the Austrian throne and his wife by a Bosnian student. The Serbians were held responsible for the murder. On the 3rd July, 1914, the Austrian Government sent an ultimatum to the Serbian Government demanding a satisfactory answer within forty-eight hours. Serbia accepted other conditions given by Austria but refused to allow Austrian Police into the Serbian territory to enforce the Austrian demands. On the 28th July 1914, Austria declared war on Serbia. On the outbreak of war between Austria and Serbia, Russia mobilised her troops in favour of Serbia. German declare war on Russia on the 1st August 1914 when her demand for the withdrawal of russian forces was not heeded to. Germany also declared war on France when she refused to give a guarantee of her neutrality. In August 1914, Great Britain declared war on Germany when German forces invaded Belgium in complete defiance of the treaty of 1839 Which guaranteed the neutrality of Belgium. The entry into the war by Britain on the side of the Allied Forces brought all her colonies into the World War. Nigerian soldiers distinguished themselves in many of the campaigns in the Cameroons and the East Africa.

On the outbreak of the First World War soldiers of the Nigerian Regiment took part in all the wars fighting to save Great Britain, her colonial master form being defeated. Troops of the Nigeria Regiment fought in two distinct campaigns, one in the Cameroons and the other in East Africa, two German African territories.

The presence of Germans in the Cameroons, Nigeria's closest neighbour on the eastern frontier was seen as a threat to the British colony and protectorate of Nigeria.

Immediately after the declaration of war on Germany by Great Britain, the British Government imposed a defensive role on the Nigerian troops concentrated at various points along the Nigeria - Cameroons border. At the same time the Commandant of the Nigeria Regiment was permitted to undertake the offensive against two German detachments in the Northern Cameroons located at Mora and Garua. This is not the place for details of the campaigns in which the Nigeria Regiment won its spurs in modern war fare.

Garua and Mora were within easy striking distance from the Nigerian Frontier, and it was hoped by rapid action to destroy the German detachment and thus clear the Northern Cameroons of the enemy. At the end of August, 1914, a small detachment of British column advanced from Maiduguri against Mora and another column moved east ward from Yola against Garus. The Northern campaign started with disasters as Mora and Garua were held by Germans with courage and skill. The Southern campaign also started with a defeat of a column sent up the Cross River. Attempts by land were then given up for the time.

Meanwhile the British Government had decided that the harbour and wireless station of Duala must be capture as land attack was ruled out as too difficult. Elaborate preparations were made to avert any disaster as Duala lay about fifteen miles from the month of the Cameroon River the entrance of which had been blocked and mined. The capture of Duala was easily effected on the 27th September by an Anglo - French Force. Nigeria provided the greater part of the troops, her contributions being two battalions and one battery, detachments from the Medical Staff, Railway, Telegraph, and Transport. The Nigerian marine include many Royal Naval Reserve Officers, who with their well-trained native personnel turned their harbour and rider vessels into gun boats, and mine sweepers, thus assisting greatly the Royal Navy in the operations at and around Duala and along the Coast.

The war against Germany in the Cameroons was concluded at the beginning of 1916 when the Germans were forces to flee Cameroons into Spanish Guinea and so pass out of the war. Mora which had been doggedly defended by the German forces capitulated.

The Nigeria troops had a brief period of rest before they were sent to participate in the East African Campaigns against the Germans. They went there under the name of the Nigerian Brigade. They fought in the German territory of Tanganyika along side with troops of many other countries. Tanganyika was captured and the Germans fled after the collapse of their defence. The troops of the Nigerian Brigade after a heroic performance in the service of His Majesty returned home and were just being prepared for action in Palestine against the Turks when the news came that the war had come to an end on the 11th November, 1918.

Throughout the war period Nigerians displayed tremendous courage in the face of great odds, hardship and privations. Their loyalty to the British monarch did not go unacknowledged. Troops who disguised themselves in the battle fields were highly rewarded by marks and royal favours.

The loyalty of Nigerians to the British Government during the hectic days of the war was characterised by the calmness that prevailed throughout the Protectorate of Nigeria in spite of the absence of the troops. Though there were pockets of resistance in some parts of the country there was no serious incident that warranted the deployment of military force to quell while escorts were used were necessary to put down revolts. The First World War which started in the year that Nigeria was born was a great set back to the progress of the country. With the war on all efforts of both the Government and the people were naturally directed towards its successful prosecution.

About two decades after the First World War the Second World War began in Europe. It was sparked off by the German invasion of Poland on the 1st September 1939. This was followed two days later by simultaneous declaration of war against Germany under Hitler by Great Britain and France, while Russia had signed a neutrality treaty with Germany. People who had expected a quick defeat of the Germans were disillusioned when the war dragged for four years, to 1945. The Second World War was not only wider in scope than the First World War but had greater economic and political consequences. Though most of the fighting took place in Europe, there were campaigns in Asia and Africa with grave consequences to the peoples of these regions.

As soon as new of the Anglo-German War was received by Colonial Administration in Nigeria measures were taken to ensure victory for Great Britain and her allies. Sympathy with Great Britain found expression in a wide variety of offers of service and cash form all sections of the community. Nigerians were in complete accord with Great Britain and her allies that Hitlerism must be defeated and eradicated before permanent peace could descend upon the World. Consequently the vast resources of the country, both human and material, were systematically regimented behind the Allied Cause.

Nigerian's geographical position, her population, natural resources potentials and her association with Great Britain endowed the country with immense political, economic and military importance. With her troops in the Cameroons the country assisted in the protection of the British mandated territory of the Cameroons. On the outbreak of hostility between Great Britain and Germany a company of the 3rd Nigeria Regiment was despatched to the Cameroons to maintain peace in that territory while one company left Enugu for Port Harcourt to guard the southern shores of Nigeria. Oral histories relating to the Second World War is also saturated with the heroic exploits of Nigerian soldiers in far away Burma as the contributed to the safety of the South Pacific Asian countries.

The loyalty of Nigerians was reflected in their spontaneous and unanimous rally to support the British Throne as they placed their personal services and their resources at the disposal of the british Government. Cash donations were made as appeals for war support were addressed to the people. The responde form Nigeria and other African colonies were as remarkable as any. They showed the sane spontaneity and true understanding of the issue as do the more Europeanised communities of Asaia and American continents.

For a successful economic warfare which the British Government adopted against Germany, Britain ensured the closest co-operation with the Governments of the Dominions, with the Government of India, and with the Colonies. The main methods of co-operation were British arrangements for carrying out the law about trading with the enemy and for the control of exports. The control of exports was the most important of them all as the Government introduced export licensing system throughout the colonies. Britain economic warfare against the enemy aimed at not only blocking German's imports and exports but also at attacking the industrial, financial and economic structure of the enemy to cripple and enfeeble its armed forces that they could no longer effectively carry on the war.

The contributions of Nigeria and other British dependencies to the success of British economic warfare against Germany was enormous as these dependencies busied themselves adopting their activities to the use of war, each producing what it best could supply to meet the immediate needs of the Empire. In a broadcast delivered early in the war the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Mr. Mcdonald, called upon the tropical and sub-tropical countries of the British Empire to mobilize their mineral and agricultural resource to supply the mother country with the commodities which could not be produced in Britain. The contention was that foodstuffs and raw materials were no less potent instruments of warfare than munitions in modern warfare. As Chief Obafemi Awolowo put it during the Biafra - Nigeria War, "Starvation is a legitimate instrument of warfare". British Colonies were therefore encouraged to increase productions so as to be as independent of imports as possible and to have as much as possible to export.

Here in Nigeria the Colonial Government investigated supply problem with a view to finding solutions to them. And on the 22nd February 1940 provincial Administrators were asked to appoint Local Price Regulation Advisory Committees in the Provinces whose responsibilities would be for the supply of raw materials and manufactured goods directly required for the conduct of the war. The Committee also helped to check profiteering and provided a machinery for the investigation of grievances. The allocation of resources for war purposes had grave repercussions on general economic condition of the people of Nigeria. The increase in price levels attendant upon restricted imports and exports at higher prices affected both the people and the Government leading to agitations, protests and disturbances in some parts of the country.

The Second World War was not only characterised by a re-organisation of the economic sector to meet the material needs of Great Britain but also by an ending propaganda on both sides of the belligerent nations. The Germans lost on opportunity and by every means of propaganda at their disposal they sought to divide Great Britain from her Colonies. Both parties in the war made effective use of propaganda in their war efforts. Propaganda was regarded as a weapon of war just as much as a torpedo or a bomber. The Biafrans made effective use of the propaganda in the Nigeria - Biafran War. During the war it was used for the same purpose as torpedoes and bombers to bring about two main aims of Hitlerism which were to make the Nazi party the master of Germany, and to make Germany the master of Europe. The theory of exploitation of the backward peoples of the world charged against Britain by Germany was stoutly and doggedly defended and countered by the British propaganda machinery. British propaganda in Africa was employed to set Africans against the Germans, "if the Germans win, they will take your land away from you and make big plantations. You will be poor labourers, and just enough money will be given to you to keep you alive so that you can work for the Germans".

And for effective dissemination of such war propaganda and war news regarding the British war efforts Provincial and Divisional Publicity Advisory Boards were formed, while a Central Board of Information was created to co-ordinate the provision and publication of news through all existing channels. Daily news bulletins were given in the major Nigerian languages while reading centres and rooms were set up in different parts of the country. Effective British propaganda ensured the people's unanimous support for Britain, placing their personal services and resources at the disposal of the British Government.

The Second World War further advanced the principle of nationality which was stimulated by the First World War, particularly in Africa and in Asia where there was the greatest room for its development due to communist propaganda which used national aspirations to foster discontent as a step towards world revolution. The spread of education among the Nigerians and other africans naturally led to the destruction of colonialism as demands of self-government increased profoundly and received British Government's encouragement. Thus on 1st October 1960 Nigeria a former British dependency became a self-governing country with full political powers to shape its future desting.

the source is a cache so the link is hard to provide - hu-berlin.de or something.

I have to concede that the problems the Army had in Liberia and Sierra Leone could have frustrated any Army in the world.No Army can win easily a counter-insurgency campaign.Armies are ideal for fighting conventional wars against other Armies.

Israel's Army could easily defeat any of its neighbour's army but will struggle to defeat the likes of Hezbollah,Fatah and Hamas.The US defeated Saddam's Army in 3 weeks but is struggling against insurgents in Iraq.The main way to defeat insurgents very quickly is to conduct large scale atrocities-An uncontemplatable option

However,the Army is still plagued by poor training,lack of equipment and nepotism.I don't mind because we have more pressing issues at the moment and I don't anticipate an invasion by the likes of Cameroun,Benin or Niger.The problem in the Niger-Delta raises concern but I do not think there is a military solution.Emphasis should be on strenghtening the Police.

PTH:

The Nigerian airforce still uses alfa jets made in the 1960s, they use beetle helicopters the world has long since abandoned as trainer aircraft, the navy is hopeles. We have enough fire power to "humble" rebels.

ignorance na serious disease sha. the first alpha jets were made in 1978. jets have a lifespan of up to 40 years and are upgradeable many times over the period. air beetle is not a helicopter. it is a trainer aircraft that is made in nigeria. kai. go and read first b4 u start displaying ur ignorance all over the place.

d same army u guys are critiscising just stabilised PH. see, there is a limit to what an army can do to its own citizens in a civilian dispensation that is why all these militants have been runnig freely. where dem dey when abacha was around and everybody knew that he for no waste time send army enter d place?

@debosky

you should realise that the figure of 74,000 military was a 1999 statistic. Over the past few years, the Military has recruited a lot of people especially in the Navy.

There are annual programs in which the Nigerian Military trains young civilian graduate lawyers, doctors, engineers and bankers. It has previously been a closed affair, but this year, entries were advertised in the daily papers, radio and TV. These people are the reserves.

Abeg no dey challenge anyhow. As for the elegantly ignorant PTH, whom unfortunately, was earlier known as davidylan, I see no reason to argue this issue with somebody that cannot properly analyse his immediate environment, let alone far away Nigeria.

The Nigerian Army has proved its mettle in Liberia and Sierra Leone, despite being a comparatively low-tech force. Combat hardened Nigerian veterans of the house-to-house skirmishes that occurred in the cities, and of the jungle warfare that ravaged the hinterland of those countries, would give any other comparable third-world military adversary a serious run for its money.

Now if only those Nigerian troops can be persuaded to stop moonlighting as armed robbers, the police would sleep easier at night.

Jakumo u harah o!

We don't need or want a strong military, what for? Strong military will only bring civil war and we will end up using the sophisticated weapons to destroy ourselves.

denex:

@debosky

you should realise that the figure of 74,000 military was a 1999 statistic. Over the past few years, the Military has recruited a lot of people especially in the Navy.

There are annual programs in which the Nigerian Military trains young civilian graduate lawyers, doctors, engineers and bankers. It has previously been a closed affair, but this year, entries were advertised in the daily papers, radio and TV. These people are the reserves.

Abeg no dey challenge anyhow. As for the elegantly ignorant PTH, whom unfortunately, was earlier known as davidylan, I see no reason to argue this issue with somebody that cannot properly analyse his immediate environment, let alone far away Nigeria.

is this a way to sidestep the issue of your blatant misrepresentation and lies when they are pointed out to you? You claim that we have a 300,000 man strong millitary reserve, the main question has been WHERE are these reservists and please dont come up with the harebrained "the millitary is training lawyers and doctors" nonsense until you can prove it! Those are NOT reserves, stop lying! Kapish!

We all lived in Nigeria too and we did not live in a bubble!

denex:
When Sergeant Goroso slap you and you see 15 star-spangled clouds, you will answer your own question.

Oh Man! LMAO!

which Army wee naija get.
naija no get army,
wetin Naija get na Thieves, wee dey parade them selves as army.
OBASANJO
I B B
DIYA
MARWA
USENI
ABACHA
BAMIYI
IKENWACHUKWU
AIKOHMU
DOGOYARO
YARADUA
DANJUMA
and many many other Thieves

Thanks for the correction denex, but it is better to stick with the values we have (albeit 1999 figures) if you do not have verifiable figures we can depend upon. besides, the figure i quoted was a 2003 estimate, so I still believe it is valid for our purposes.

what you have failed to do, despite the links you posted, is to justify/provide evidence of the 300,000 passive/reservists that you claim exist. short service and other recruitment schemes notwithstanding, it is still highly unlikely that a reserve size that large exists.

I am waiting for Mamajama to take over this topic

He is Nairaland's Nigerian Armed Forces Expert.

@ denex, the links you posted make no difference. YES the US has an army reserve, everybody is aware of that, infact i have several forms in the mail almost on a monthly basis for recruitment into the US army reserves so you have said nothing new.

here is the crux of the matter - where are the 300,000 reservists you claim Nigeria has? Are they in the moon that we cannot see them?

Short service combatants is not the same as army reservists! Stick to issues you know best, smoking!