Reps Advocate Increased Funding for Intelligence Gathering to Combat Insecurity

Funding Intelligence Gathering Will Help Tackle Insecurity – Reps

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, has reaffirmed the commitment of the House leadership to ensuring adequate funding for intelligence gathering as a key strategy to curb insecurity in Nigeria.

Dr. Abbas gave this assurance during a one-day public hearing on a bill seeking to establish the Nigerian Security and Intelligence Trust Fund. The bill aims to provide additional funding for security-related matters beyond the usual budgetary allocations from the federation and to support interventions in combating security challenges in the country. The public hearing was organized by the House Committee on Security and Intelligence in Abuja.

Represented by Hon. Victor Nwokolo, the Speaker noted that insecurity remains a major threat to Nigeria, leading to the loss of lives and properties. He emphasized that despite the resource constraints faced by security agencies, they have continued to work tirelessly to protect the nation. He, therefore, urged stakeholders to support the bill to ensure its success.

In his remarks, the sponsor of the bill and Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ahmed Satomi, commended all agencies and stakeholders who participated in the hearing. He highlighted that the bill, when passed, would play a significant role in addressing the country’s security challenges by providing funds for training, research, and development for security agencies.

Hon. Satomi stressed that relying solely on kinetic approaches—such as military force—does not guarantee peace and security. He noted that a non-kinetic approach, particularly through adequate funding for intelligence gathering, would be instrumental in ensuring the safety of lives and properties across Nigeria.

Speaking to journalists after the public hearing, the Commandant General of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Navy Captain Umar Bakori (Rtd.), described the hearing as timely, given the sacrifices made by vigilante members across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas. He stated that many vigilante members have been using their personal resources in the fight against insecurity, and the establishment of the National Security Trust Fund would provide much-needed financial support to security organizations like the VGN.

Commenting on the bill seeking to establish the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Navy Captain Bakori expressed optimism that it would be passed into law, further strengthening the fight against insecurity.

Stakeholders present at the event—including the Armed Forces, the Police, the Nigerian Customs Service, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Ministry of Defense, and the Vigilante Group of Nigeria—all submitted their positions on the bill.