News
Nigeria’s Army Chief says personnel and funding inadequate for operation
Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, yesterday, said that the country’s two million security personnel are not enough to protect a population of over 200 million people.
The army chief also expressed concerns over the inadequate funding of the Armed Forces of Nigeria which he said significantly affected the military’s operational performance.
Gen Lagbaja made this remark during the 2024 International Day of Peace Lecture organised by the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies at the University of Ilorin, in collaboration with the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji.
At the event, held in Ilorin, Kwara State, Gen Lagbaja said ” In a country of over 200 million people, it is unrealistic to expect security agencies, totalling around two million, including an army of just over 100,000 active personnel without a reserve force, to secure the entire population.
Represented by the Chief of Army Training, Sanni Mohammed, he said: “We import over 90 per cent of our military needs, noting that despite some local production efforts, the country’s dependence on foreign military supplies remains overwhelming.
“The pursuit of national development alongside national security is a costly endeavour, as defence policy is capital-intensive.
“In 2023, the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria had a budget of about $2.8 billion, with an additional supplementary budget of around one billion dollars. However, not all budgetary allocations were fully released.
In a country of over 200 million people, it is unrealistic to expect security agencies, totalling around two million, including an army of just over 100,000 active personnel without a reserve force, to secure the entire population.
“Although funding for the AFN has been improving annually since 2017, the country’s economic downturn has eroded the actual value of what is released.
“The lack of funding affects the AFN’s equipment holdings, which directly impacts performance.”
On the security personnel gap, Lagbaja said: “The considerable resource gap is being exploited by criminal elements.
Addressing this requires investment in expanding and strengthening security forces, ensuring adequate personnel and resources.
“National security requires all citizens to be part of the security framework, fostering vigilance, trust, and community engagement.
This will create a more resilient citizenry, better equipped to respond to national emergencies.”
In his remarks, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole stressed the importance of peace and security for sustainable development.
A four-storey building has collapsed in Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos, with occupants trapped, and some feared dead.
Panic gripped residents when the uncompleted building suddenly collapsed on Saturday.
The building houses the popular Equal Right Restaurant.
The incident happened at about 11a.m., today.
As of press time, men of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, as well as the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, who had been contacted have arrived at the scene.
See photos below:
An unspecific number of people are believed to be trapped under an uncompleted storey building which collapsed in Lagos.
The building housing Equal Rights restaurant located at Oremeta Street, Ojodu Lagos, went down on Saturday morning.
It is believed, however, that some people are still trapped underneath the rubble.
Details later….
Edo State Police Command says it has rescued 10 University of Benin, UNIBEN, students abducted by suspected kidnappers at Ofosu area along the Benin-Ore expressway.
It was gathered that the students were on their way to Babcock University for Annual GYC Africa Conference when they were kidnapped on April 16 at the community bordering Edo and Ondo States.
The Public Relations Officer of the Command, Moses Yamu disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen.
Yamu said the rescued students are eight males and two females.
He said during the rescue operation, one of the suspected kidnappers was killed, while other escaped with bullet wounds.
He also disclosed that one of the Police officers, an Inspector sustained gunshot injury and is currently responding to treatment in an undisclosed hospital.
The statement read: “The Command wishes to update the general public of the unfortunate kidnap of some students who were on their way to Babcock University for Annual GYC Africa Conference on 16/04/2025 at a location bordering Edo and Ondo States.
“On receipt of this information, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, immediately deployed operatives of the Ohosu Division, IRT, tactical teams alongside vigilantes and hunters into the bushes for possible rescue of the victims and arrest of suspects.
“During the operation, operatives engaged in a gun duel with these kidnappers. In the process, one of the kidnappers was neutralised, while others escaped with bullet wounds.
“The operatives were cautious to avoid collateral damages as the kidnappers used the victims as human shields. Unfortunately, an Inspector of Police sustained a gunshot injury and is currently responding to treatment.
“This rescue effort eventually paid off as the ten (10) kidnapped students comprising eight (8) male and (2) females were released due to intense pressure mounted on them.”
UPDATE: Four-storey building collapses in Lagos (Photos)
BREAKING: Many feared trapped, as Building collapses in Ojodu Lagos
President Federation Cup: NFF unveils venues, dates for quater-finals
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
Sports3 days agoEx-Man Utd star Bastian Schweinsteiger ‘splits from wife’
-
International3 days agoUK Supreme Court rules definition of ‘woman’ based on sex at birth and not by transgender
-
News3 days agoKogi Govt Applauds President Tinubu for Appointments of Indigenes to Strategic National Roles
-
News3 days agoKogi Targets N 1 Billion Revenue from Signage by 2026
-
Sports3 days agoGabon Striker Boupendza Dies After Falling from Building in China
-
Business3 days agoWTO slashes 2025 trade growth forecast, warns of deeper slump
-
News2 days agoAppolonia Becomes Army’s First Female PRO
-
Business3 days agoPwC shuts operations in nine African countries