The Minister of Defence is advocating for additional funding in the 2025 budget to acquire 50 Armored Personnel Carriers to combat banditry in the country. The current budget allocation of N50.44bn to the Ministry of Defence is deemed insufficient to address the security challenges effectively. With the necessary equipment, the minister believes that the battle against banditry could be resolved within two months.
During a budget defence session at the House of Representatives, the minister highlighted the need for more resources to equip defense zones adequately. He emphasized the importance of providing proper equipment to tackle banditry effectively and requested an additional N20bn to compensate the families of deceased military personnel.
Furthermore, the minister drew attention to the living conditions in military barracks, stressing the importance of improving welfare to enhance military performance. He expressed concerns over the shortfall in the 2025 budget compared to the previous year and urged the committee to consider additional funding for the ministry.
In response, the Chairman of the House Committee on Defence emphasized the National Assembly’s commitment to allocating resources efficiently to strengthen national security. He highlighted the importance of fiscal transparency and accountability in utilizing allocated funds to enhance the operational capacity of the Armed Forces.
The budget defense session coincides with the country facing evolving security threats, necessitating increased vigilance and collaboration among defense agencies. The chairman urged defense agencies to implement strategic initiatives focused on measurable outcomes, operational efficiency, and the integration of modern technologies to address security challenges effectively.