•Senate moves to tackle killings as retired military chiefs, Reps lament insurgents’ use of sophisticated arms
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.
On May 1, 2025, fire engulfed the military base; an incident the military command attributed to ‘’friendly fire.’’
“The fire incident affected the ammunition facility within the barracks, and some munitions exploded, causing loud bangs. Preliminary investigation revealed that the intense heat in Maiduguri around this time of the year may have triggered or conflagrated the fire,” a military statement clarified.
Speaking during the session, Santomi said, “I rise to move a motion of urgent public importance regarding the recent fire incident at the armoury at Giwa Barracks and the escalating attacks on military formations in Borno and Yobe States.
“The House is aware that Boko Haram has escalated its attacks on several military formations, with several soldiers killed. The recent surge in Boko Haram attacks on military formations is deeply alarming, and also, the bravery and sacrifice of our military personnel are being tested by these relentless assaults.”
In his contribution, Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau) called on the parliament to prevail on the relevant government departments to discharge their responsibility.
“As a National Assembly, we have been doing our best. We have been speaking against these ills, but Nigerians are being killed daily. We cannot continue like this.
“The departments of government should be made to account for their responsibility. We are moving to a level where Nigerians will fight against us the way they are fighting against Boko Haram. If action is not taken, Nigerians will take their destiny in their hands,” Gagdi warned.
Also speaking, the member representing Gwoza/Damboa/Chibok Federal Constituency, Borno, Ahmed Jaha, supported the motion, calling for action to protect the lives and property of innocent Nigerians.
“What is happening in Borno is very dangerous. While these innocent citizens are running, Boko Haram will be pushing them, riding brand new motorcycles and armed with newly purchased AK-47 rifles.
“We can no longer pretend that all is well. Boko Haram is coming back stronger and is more sophisticatedly armed than the Nigerian military. They are using armed drones, weaponised drones, which the Nigerian army is not using. In other words, they are more sophisticated and advanced than the Nigerian Army,” he lamented.
“I observe one thing, sir. Boko Haram is coming back worse than what we had in the past. Take it or leave it,’’ he alerted the House.
On her part, the member representing Bama/Ngala/Kalabalge Federal Constituency, Borno, Zainab Gimba, urged the Federal Government to rise to the occasion and make Nigeria safe for all citizens.
She said, “In my constituency, there was a Boko Haram attack on a military formation of the multinational joint task force, where more than 20 soldiers were killed.
“I visited that formation and the commander told me that out of nearly 100 soldiers in that formation, only six are Nigerian soldiers. It is a multinational joint task force where we expect to have, if not an equal number, at least a substantive number of Nigerian military men in that formation.”
Joining the conversation, Lawan Shettima (APC, Yobe), said, “The majority of my motions this year are about insecurity. Mr Speaker, nothing has been done, and the pressure is being mounted day by day. Our people are being killed every day.
“I want this House to come up with another idea to deal with this problem. Mr Speaker, we have to think about how to create a law that will allow our people to protect themselves,” he argued.
Lagos lawmaker, Babajimi Benson, lamented that though the Federal Government has allocated a lot of resources to tackle security, not much has been achieved.
“I stand here with a sense of responsibility and humility to say that the presidency has expended so much money, so many resources on the Nigerian military without commensurate results. Mr Speaker, I also say with all sense of responsibility that Mr President has, on many occasions, put the creation of state police on the front burner. Yet, not much has been achieved,” he lamented.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House resolved to investigate the cause of the fire incident at Giwa Barracks armoury and report back for immediate action to prevent future occurrences.
It also resolved to “Conduct a thorough review of security measures in military installations to prevent similar incidents.”
The lawmakers further agreed to “Strengthen security operations in Borno and Yobe states to protect military personnel and civilians and provide support and compensation to families of soldiers affected by these incidents.”
Concerns over Otukpo insecurity
The House of Representatives expressed worry over the deteriorating security situation in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
This followed the frequent killings of defenceless Nigerians in the North Central state recently by armed herdsmen.
Raising the issue on the floor of the House, Benue lawmaker Blessing Onuh said the peace the ancient city was known for has been shattered by the reckless killings of the people in the past few years.
“Otukpo has always been known for its peace and hospitality. However, in recent years, we have witnessed heinous and senseless killings perpetrated by armed herders.
“These are predominantly farming communities. Our people can no longer access their farmlands, which not only threatens their livelihoods but also poses a grave risk to food production and sufficiency in the region,” Onuh stressed.
In its resolution, the House condemned the killings in the strongest terms and called on the National Security Adviser and the service chiefs to deploy maximum security personnel in the affected areas to restore peace and order.
“We must act swiftly to protect lives and properties,” the House declared. “The perpetrators of these barbaric acts must be arrested and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.”
The lawmakers also urged the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the National Emergency Management Agency to urgently provide relief materials to the victims of the attacks.
As a show of solidarity, the House resolved to send a high-powered delegation to commiserate with the people of Otukpo and observed a one-minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives.
Senate plans summit
On its part, the Senate resolved to hold a two-day national security summit to proffer solutions to the rising wave of killings and other forms of insecurity in the country.
The decision followed a motion sponsored by Jimoh Ibrahim, senator representing Ondo South, at the resumption of plenary on Tuesday.
Last month, gunmen, in a senseless campaign of violence, killed scores of citizens in Plateau, Benue and Zamfara States.
Leading the debate, Ibrahim said global insecurity is driven by events in Russia and Ukraine and compounded by tensions between the global north and south.
According to him, the issues have continuously worsened food insecurity and affected the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The former Ondo governorship aspirant emphasised that the ongoing trade tariff war in America and the growing emphasis on balance of power in global affairs are gradually giving way to a new world order.
“This new order reflects in immigration policies, visa cancellations by new regimes, and countries raising funds by selling citizenship — all of which fuel economic conflict and undermine globalisation pursued over the last sixty years,” he said.
Continuing, Ibrahim said Nigeria must clarify its strategic engagement in international affairs, noting that the Senate has a role in advising the executive to maximise national interest
“The next world war may not even require the fanfare of militarism. The incredible growing economic war is gaining ground with destructive innovation in security globally.
“There is a need for alternative language in military engagement as well as enhanced funding to advance the professional practices and respected tradition of the future military,” he stated.
He, therefore, called for an “empirical fact-finding national security summit” to develop far-reaching solutions.
The senator representing Katsina South, Mohammed Dandutse, seconded the motion, saying the lack of intelligence sharing among security agencies was a major setback.
“Nigeria is blessed; we have no other country except Nigeria. We have to face these criminals squarely. No country succeeds except with peace and security. The security agencies are given funding. So there is a need for the judicious spending of these resources,” he noted.
The senators representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe and Kebbi Central, Adamu Aliero, however, disagreed with the proposal. Both lawmakers argued that a security summit may not be the solution.
The senator representing Benue North-West, Titus Zam and the senate minority leader, Abba Moro, backed Ibrahim’s motion.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the motion to a voice vote, and the majority of senators voted in favour of the summit.
Akpabio, however, proposed that the summit should be held for two days instead of the three days proposed by Ibrahim.
The Senate subsequently resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to organise the two-day national security summit in Abuja
The event will involve delegates from all levels of government, as well as traditional institutions.
