Ahmed Bola Tinubu

The House of Representatives and retired military generals have raised fresh concerns over rising insecurity in the Northeast, urging the federal government to urgently upgrade the military’s arsenal to match the growing threat posed by insurgents.

The alarm follows a renewed wave of attacks by Boko Haram, including a deadly assault on a military formation in Giwa, Borno State. Lawmakers say the incident reflects a troubling reality that terrorists may now be better equipped than the Nigerian military.

Presenting a motion of urgent public concern, Representative Ahmed Satomi of Borno State decried the increasing spate of deadly assaults and warned that the insurgents are returning with greater sophistication.

Lawmakers expressed worry that, despite increased defence spending—rising from 2.98 trillion naira in 2023 to a proposed 4.91 trillion naira for 2025—the Nigerian Armed Forces remain under-resourced.

Retired senior officers also lent their voices to the call. Brigadier General Peter Aro, retired, noted that insurgents have evolved into well-armed groups with access to encrypted communications, drones, and precision-guided explosives. He stressed the need for advanced battlefield technologies and improved intelligence systems to protect troops and sustain previous gains in the war against terrorism.

Another retired officer, Brigadier General Bashir Adewinbi, highlighted the urgent need for surveillance drones and intelligence-gathering equipment. He also called for tighter control of Nigeria’s porous borders, which he described as easy entry points for armed groups.

Group Captain Sadique Shehu, retired, criticised the lack of transparency in the disbursement and use of security funds. He warned that without proper oversight by the executive and legislature, military spending may not yield the intended results.

In a heated plenary session, lawmakers including Yusuf Gagdi from Plateau and Zainab Gimba from Borno lamented the growing threat and questioned the effectiveness of the current security strategy. Gimba disclosed that only a handful of Nigerian troops are stationed in some joint military formations, raising further concern about the nation’s defence capacity.

Representative Lawan Shettima of Yobe called for the introduction of laws that would empower communities to protect themselves, citing the daily killings in the region.

Following deliberations, the House adopted a motion to investigate the recent fire at the Giwa Barracks armoury, strengthen military operations in Borno and Yobe states, and ensure the welfare of fallen soldiers’ families is prioritised.

Meanwhile, some lawmakers renewed calls for the establishment of state police to complement federal security efforts.