Ndume's comments came in response to the Northern Ethnic Nationalities Forum's demand for the immediate dismissal of the military high command, accusing them of professional incompetence.
However, Ndume dismissed this call as ill-motivated, insisting that Nigeria's security challenges stem from poor funding, inadequate logistics, and lack of motivation rather than leadership failure.
Instead, Ndume advocated for a TEAM approach, emphasizing the need for Training, Equipment, Ammunition, and Motivation to defeat terrorism and violent crime. He highlighted the inadequate compensation of soldiers, noting that a private's monthly salary is around ₦100,000, with a daily allowance of ₦5,000.
Ndume praised President Tinubu's "ethno-religious balancing" in appointing the current Service Chiefs, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity. He stressed that Nigeria should prioritize proper funding of military operations, modern equipment, and improved welfare packages to boost troop morale.