News
Rising insecurity: NASS, ex-generals demand urgent military re-armament
Retired military generals have again called on the Federal Government to urgently equip the Nigerian Armed Forces, amid growing concerns over the resurgence of terrorists’ attacks and killings in the North-East.
This comes as the House of Representatives on Tuesday expressed deep concern over a recent deadly attack on a military facility in Giwa, Borno State, describing the incident as a glaring indicator that Boko Haram insurgents are better armed than the military.
During Tuesday’s plenary, the lawmakers lamented the gradual return of the terrorist group and the loss of lives in recent times in Borno and neighbouring Yobe States.
Though budgetary allocations to the defence and security sectors have steadily increased, there have been complaints and questions about the quality and volume of arms available to the troops.
In 2023, the Federal Government earmarked N2.98 trillion for defence and security. This rose to N3.25 trillion in the 2024 budget, and for 2025, President Bola Tinubu proposed a record N4.91tn out of the N49.7tn national budget, aimed at enhancing the operational effectiveness of security agencies.
Despite these substantial investments, Nigeria continues to grapple with deep-rooted security challenges, including insurgency and banditry.
The Defence Headquarters did not respond to the assertion by the House that the troops are ill-equipped when contacted on Tuesday.
The Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, referred inquiries to the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye. But Kangye did not respond to phone calls or a text message sent to him on the issue.
However, retired senior military officers urged the Federal Government to prioritise the procurement of modern combat equipment and improved intelligence support to the frontline troops.
They warned that without immediate intervention, the hard-won gains in the war against insurgency could be reversed.
Brigadier General Peter Aro (retd.) said the question of whether terrorists are better armed than the Nigerian military “is no longer rhetorical.
”Describing it as a red flag that demanded urgent intervention, Aro warned that the insurgent groups have evolved from ragtag militias to highly equipped forces with access to encrypted communications, drone surveillance, night-vision devices, GPS-guided explosives, and coordinated strike systems.
He stated, “While our troops remain committed and valiant, the battlefield has shifted from muscle to machine. Without matching this evolution, we risk sending brave soldiers into asymmetric warfare ill-equipped for modern threats. This isn’t about panic, it’s about parity.
“To stay ahead, Nigeria must make an urgent, strategic shift: fund intelligence, equip the army, and fast-track tech superiority. Gadgets that drive modern warfare, from satellite-linked sensors to AI-based surveillance tools, are prohibitively expensive, yet necessary.
“The army, under the leadership of one of the most competent, tested, and forward-thinking Chiefs of Army Staff in recent times, cannot afford to be left behind.
He has the vision, the field experience, and the strategic acumen; what he needs now is full backing. Not just in words, but in robust budgetary commitments that reflect the true cost of winning an intelligence-driven war.
The political leaders must show they have the willpower to take crucial decisions.
”Similarly, retired Brigadier General Bashir Adewinbi called for the military to be empowered with advanced intelligence-gathering tools such as surveillance drones and surveillance technologies that could aid in planning and executing strategic counterterrorism operations.
“You see what they (the terrorists) carry—it is above what our military is carrying,” Adewinbi affirmed. “We need equipment that can gather intelligence, monitor insurgents’ activities so the military knows what action to take,” he added.
Beyond a military solution, Adewinbi advocated for strong political will to address the root causes of insecurity, warning that some political actors may be exploiting the crisis for personal or partisan gain.
“They should be more stringent with whoever is involved in banditry or terrorist activities, regardless of who they are. Nigeria is our country, you don’t invite an enemy from outside just to discredit your political opponent, “ he said.
He also decried Nigeria’s porous borders, which he described as an open gateway for individuals with dangerous intentions.
“Anybody can go and come, anyhow, anytime, without being monitored,” he noted.
A former spokesman for the Nigerian Air Force, Group Captain Sadique Shehu (retd.), demanded strict accountability, pointing out that without proper monitoring, funds allocated to the armed forces may be misused.
Speaking in an interview, Shehu said, “If you allow the military on their own to decide how to do their work and how to spend their money, the funds won’t get anywhere.
In a democracy, either the executive branch or the legislature is supposed to be in a position to check these people. The system is awash with money, but there must be accountability.
’’According to him, the Nigerian public did not elect the service chiefs, and as such, the responsibility for ensuring that defence funds are well spent lies squarely with the elected officials.
“People do not elect the Chief of Army Staff or the Chief of Air Staff. They elected the president and lawmakers. They are the ones responsible. Yes, you are giving the military money, but did you follow the money and see where it was put?” he queried.
He likened the situation to household spending, saying, “Even if you give your wife a million naira and you don’t check how the children are feeding, she might be the kind of woman that likes buying gold or spending at ceremonies.
Certainly, you gave her one million – there’s no doubt about that – but what is being done with that money? There is no oversight.
There’s no oversight by the executive, there’s no oversight by the legislature.
”During the resumption of plenary on Tuesday, the member representing Jere Federal Constituency, Borno State, Ahmed Satomi, presented a motion of urgent public importance on the renewed attacks by terrorists in his state.
Rallying support for the motion, Satomi, a member of the All Progressives Congress, lamented the recent fire incident in Giwa Barracks and the attacks on military formations in Borno and Yobe States.
President Bola Tinubu arrived in Brasília on Monday to begin a state visit focused on deepening diplomatic and economic relations between Nigeria and Brazil.
He was received at the Brasília Air Base by senior Brazilian officials, including Ambassador Carlos Sérgio Sobral Duarte and Brazil’s ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos José Areias Moreno Garcete. Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, also welcomed him.
According to Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu will be officially received with full military honours at the Planalto Palace, followed by a private meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The two leaders will also oversee the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and address a joint press conference.
Tinubu’s delegation includes ministers, heads of agencies, and private sector leaders who will take part in bilateral meetings. The visit builds on ongoing cooperation in agriculture, defence, and trade, with recent milestones including a defence pact and strategic dialogue framework.
Key initiatives under review include the $1.1 billion Green Imperative Programme and a $2.5 billion investment by Brazilian meat processing giant JBS, both aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s food security and job creation.
This visit follows Tinubu’s recent engagements in Brazil during the BRICS Summit in July 2025 and the G20 Summit in November 2024, highlighting growing ties between the two nations.
News
NEMA Emphasises on Waterways Safety Compliance by Commercial Boat Operators
So far, out of the 30 persons involved in the accident, 21 survived including 2 canoe operators, 6 dead bodies were recovered from the river and 3 persons are still missing.
Sokoto Operations Office of NEMA (SOO) call on relevant regulatory authorities with jurisdiction over the waterways to enforce compliance of safety protocols and standard in the use of canoes and boats for transportation and commercial activities, particularly ensuring the use of life jackets by crew and passengers.
The call was made in response to another boat accident that happened on Friday 22nd August, 2025 in Garin-faji, Sabon-birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Manzo Ezekiel NEMA Press unit Headquarters, Abuja, reported that a total of 30 persons were involved in canoe accident
” So far, out of the 30 persons involved in the accident, 21 survived including 2 canoe operators, 6 dead bodies were recovered from the river and 3 persons are still missing.
Search and rescue operation is still ongoing to find the 3 missing persons. However, the 6 bodies recovered from the water were already buried according to Islamic rite before the arrival of the joint team to the village.
NEMA, SOO responded to the report of the mishap yesterday alongside other stakeholders which include, NIWA, SEMA, Nigeria Army, Nigeria Red Cross, Sokoto State Ministry of Works, member representing Sabon-birni in the Sokoto State House of Assembly in the company of officials of the local government council and traditional leaders.
Sokoto Operations Office is closely monitoring the search and rescue operations and will continue to bring update on the incident.”
…..As Director-General Reflects on the National Broadcasting Commission’s Legacy and Future.
In a message marking the 33rd anniversary of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the Director-General, Charles Ebuebu, acknowledged the organization’s significant contributions to the Nigerian broadcasting landscape.
Established three decades ago, the NBC was created with the crucial role of regulating, guiding, and developing the broadcasting industry nationwide.
The Director-General’s message highlighted the NBC’s journey, acknowledging both the successes and challenges faced over the years.
The statement reads:
“To the Management and Staff of the NBC, Esteemed Licensees, and Fellow Nigerians:” “Today marks a significant milestone in our nation’s broadcasting journey”.
“The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) was established 33 years ago with a singular mandate: to regulate, guide, and nurture the broadcasting industry in Nigeria”.
“Over these three decades, we have grown together — from the era of limited analogue transmissions to the present digital age where voices, stories, and innovations find expression across multiple platforms”.
“This anniversary is not merely about numbers, but about the shared commitment of our staff, the resilience of our licensees, and the trust of the Nigerian public”.
“It is about the values of professionalism, integrity, and service to the public interest that have carried us through the years.
I therefore extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Executive Board of Management, the entire NBC family, and indeed all stakeholders who continue to uphold these values”.
“Looking Back with Pride from the earliest days of national radio and television, through the liberalisation of the broadcast space, to the present drive towards digital switchover, the Commission has consistently sought to ensure that broadcasting remains a tool for education, information, and national integration”.
“We have weathered challenges, adapted to changes, and remained a pillar in upholding national standards”.
Looking Forward with Purpose.
“As we celebrate this 33rd anniversary, we must equally look to the future with clarity and resolve”.
“The landscape of broadcasting is changing rapidly — artificial intelligence, online streaming, satellite-driven platforms, and converged media are now defining the way societies consume information”.
“Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind.
The NBC is committed to:
Deepening Digital Transition: Ensuring the success of Nigeria’s Digital Switchover project, with platforms that guarantee universal access, affordability, and inclusivity.
- Strengthening Local Content: Supporting Nigerian creativity and talent so that our airwaves reflect who we are — our values, our cultures, and our aspirations.
- Promoting Responsible Broadcasting: Expanding our capacity to monitor, guide, and check misinformation, disinformation, and harmful content that threaten social cohesion.
- Harnessing Technology for Regulation: Deploying modern digital tools, including AI-driven monitoring and data-driven audience measurement systems, to keep pace with global standards.
- Partnerships and Collaboration: Working hand-in-hand with licensees, industry players, and international partners to create a broadcasting environment that is vibrant, innovative, and globally competitive.
- Our Shared Responsibility:
- Broadcasting is not only about regulation; it is about nation building. Every station, every producer, every regulator, and every viewer or listener is a custodian of our collective narrative.
- “Together, we can ensure that the airwaves remain a space of truth, creativity, education, and unity.
- “On this 33rd anniversary, let us renew our pledge — as management, staff, licensees, and the Nigerian people — to build a broadcasting industry that not only serves today but also secures the future”.
- “Congratulations once again to the NBC family and all our stakeholders”.
- “May the years ahead be marked by even greater achievements for the broadcasting sector and for Nigeria”.
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